Next Generation Exercise Program For Developing Motivation, Body and Mind Performance

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Creation and Promotion of the Will-Dynamics
• Project/Area Number: 16H06405
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Complex systems
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba
• Principal Investigator: Soya Hideaki 筑波大学, 体育系, 教授 (50221346)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-06-30 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 運動 / 認知機能 / 意欲 / モチベーション / 海馬 / 前頭前野 / ドーパミン作動性神経系

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We aimed to elucidate the exercise conditions that enhance motivation and physical and mental performance including cognition and fitness and to develop an implementable exercise program, through bridging research from animals to humans. Using both healthy and diseased animal models, it was suggested that low-intensity exercise and high-intensity intermittent exercise enhance hippocampal and/or prefrontal cortex function and that the neural basis involves the brain dopaminergic system related to motivation. In addition, we show the benefits of running in combination with music and running as exercise conditions that enhance motivation and cognitive function from brain imaging studies. These results led us to propose an implementable exercise program for motivation and physical and mental performance.

Free Research Field

スポーツ神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

病態を含む動物から人への橋渡しを通じて、意欲と身心パフォーマンスを共に高める運動条件とその基盤的メカニズムの一端を明らかにした点は、神経科学、精神医学、心理学、などと融合させた「スポーツ神経科学」の推進に貢献するものである。そして、意欲と認知をより高める運動条件を見出し、運動プログラムを開発、応用可能とした。これは、世界規模で取り沙汰されている現代の活力低下問題に打ち勝つ対抗策となり得る。