Running and other forms of aerobic exercise may help people move more easily and stay coordinated, no matter their age. A new study on middle-aged mice found that regular running increased a brain chemical called dopamine, which plays a big role in movement, memory, and mood. The researchers say this boost could help explain why physical activity improves agility and speed, even in older adults.
The study was led by scientists from NYU Langone Health, who wanted to understand how exercise affects the brain, especially in aging bodies. In earlier work, the team discovered that young male mice had higher levels of dopamine after running on a wheel every day for a month. In their new research, they tested older mice—about 12 months old, which is similar to humans in their 50s.
The results showed that these older mice also had increased dopamine levels, and in some cases, the boost was even greater than in the younger mice. Not only did the older mice have more dopamine, but they also performed better on physical tasks. They could climb down a pole faster and move more quickly in open areas compared to mice that didn’t exercise. However, their grip strength didn’t improve, which suggests that the benefits came from better coordination and not stronger muscles.
Dr. Margaret Rice, the lead researcher, said these results show that exercise supports brain health and mobility at all ages. She explained that dopamine naturally declines as we get older, but physical activity can help bring it back up. This can make movement easier and more fluid.
Aerobic exercises like swimming, cycling, and dancing are already known to improve heart and brain health. Past studies have shown that these activities release brain chemicals important for learning, motivation, and happiness. However, it wasn’t clear how this process worked in aging brains. This new study helps to fill that gap.
The findings may also be important for people with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is a brain disorder that causes tremors, slow movements, and balance problems. It happens when the brain stops producing enough dopamine. Dr. Rice believes the study may explain why exercise helps people with Parkinson’s feel better and move more easily.
This is the first study to clearly show a link between higher dopamine levels from exercise and improved movement in older male and female mice. In earlier studies, only young males were tested. The researchers gave 24 mice unlimited access to either a working exercise wheel or one that didn’t turn. After one month, they tested all the mice for speed, agility, and strength.
The mice that exercised had 50% more dopamine in the brain area responsible for movement and motivation. Interestingly, female mice ran twice as far as the males but gained the same benefit in dopamine and coordination. This suggests that once the brain gets enough exercise to boost dopamine, doing more may not add further benefits.
The research team now plans to test mice that have been genetically altered to mimic Parkinson’s disease. They want to see if exercise can also help in these cases. However, Dr. Rice says more studies in humans are needed to fully understand how dopamine changes from exercise affect diseases like Parkinson’s.
In conclusion, this study adds to growing evidence that exercise is good for both the brain and the body. It shows that physical activity helps release important brain chemicals that can improve movement and coordination, even in middle age. These results could lead to better treatment ideas for people with brain conditions that affect movement.
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https://knowridge.com/2025/12/running-may-boost-brain-chemicals-and-agility-at-any-age/
