If you thought running was just great for the body， then think again.

Scientists have uncovered evidence that the sport not only keeps people trim but also boosts brain power.

The research found that people who keep fit are more likely to have larger brains， better memories and clearer thinking.

They also found that unfit people tended to have smaller brains and reduced cognitive skills.

The findings add to a growing body of evidence which links exercise with helping protect the brain against aging and also aiding it to replace dying cells.

This might reduce the risk of debilitating illnesses and diseases such as Alzheimers.

One research paper within its latest issue sees scientists at Kentucky University putting 30 adults aged 59—69 on a treadmill.

Their heart and lung capacity was measured and an MRI scanner was used to assess the blood flow to their brains.

Those who were less fit had smaller brains compared to the fitter volunteers who had larger brains.

Scientists in Germany followed 21 adults aged between 60 and 77. As they went through a three-month fitness program they saw improvements in their memory.

Researchers are not yet sure why exercise helps to protect brain cells but some research in mice has produced results.

Mice， examined at the National Institute on Aging， in Baltimore， found that cells in the hippocampus， an area of the brain used for memory， were actively reproducing while their fatter peers were in decline.

Linda Clare， professor of clinical psychology of aging and dementia at Exeter University and a member of the Global Council on Brain Health told the Sunday Times， “Moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as brisk walking， cycling or running can produce changes in brain structure and function.”

如果你認为跑步只对身体有好处，那么再想想吧。

科学家已经找到证据证明体育运动不仅能让人保持苗条的身材，还能提升脑力。

研究发现，喜欢健身的人很可能大脑更大、记忆力更好、思维更清晰。

他们还发现不喜欢健身的人往往大脑要小一些，认知功能会退化。

越来越多的证据表明，锻炼有助于抵御大脑老化，促进死亡的细胞代谢。

锻炼还可能降低患老年痴呆症等退行性疾病的风险。

在最近发表的一份研究报告中，肯塔基大学的科学家对30位59至69岁的人做了一项实验，让他们在跑步机上锻炼。

研究者测量了他们的心肺功能，并使用磁共振成像仪判断他们大脑的血液流量。

那些身体不太健壮的志愿者大脑较小，而体格健壮的志愿者大脑较大。

德国的科学家对21名60至77岁的成年人做了跟踪调查。经过三个月的运动健身，他们的记忆力得到了改善。

研究人员现在还不确定锻炼有助于保护脑细胞的原因。但通过一些对老鼠的研究，已经找到了答案。

位于巴尔的摩的美国国家衰老研究所发现，那些体形苗条的老鼠，大脑用于记忆的区域——海马体中的细胞在积极地繁殖，而体形肥胖的老鼠的海马体细胞在下降。

英国埃克塞特大学衰老和痴呆临床心理学教授、全球脑健康委员会成员琳达·克莱尔对《星期日泰晤士报》说：“健步走、骑自行车、跑步等中等强度的有氧运动可以改变大脑的结构和功能。”