EXERCISE: Too much may screw with your decision making
October 14, 2019 • 1 min read
-- Don’t make life-changing decisions immediately after your morning workout, because exercise overload may cause brain fade.
French researchers investigating the drop in physical performance following overtraining have discovered a link between exercise overload and impaired activation of the lateral prefrontal cortex – the area of the brain responsible for higher order cognitive control.
The study showed that athletes who experienced physical overload were more likely to act impulsively. Specifically, they opted for immediate rewards rather than rewards that were more significant but would take longer to achieve.
The authors were particularly struck by the fact that both physical overload and excessive intellectual work affect the same area of the brain.
Researchers said the findings might help explain why endurance athletes have a higher likelihood of doping, noting that doping “may help with immediate performance but compromise long term achievements.”
Rest up – you’ll make better decisions.