Based on the results of recent memory trials, 60+ minutes of vigorous exercise improves long term spatial memory. A trial held at the Nazareth YMCA, by Owen Kahn of the “NEYST Blue Fins”, involved three groups of elitist swimmers, swimming different durations of time. The subjects were shown memory cards displaying thirty (30) different foods for 2 minutes. After the 2 minutes the cards were covered and the subjects were instructed to write down the items they remembered. After completing trial 1, the before trial, they were assigned a duration of time to swim; group 1, 20 mins; group 2, 40 minutes and group 3; 60 minutes.

In recent studies, confirmed by MRI, the hippocampus of active individuals has been proven to be larger than in their “couch potato” counterparts, so an increase of 12% in short term memory, before compared to after, in group 1 wasn’t surprising. However group 3’s results made science. Their short term memory was reduced, based on a comparison from trial 1 to 2, but their neurological recall of the items from trial 1, after 60+ minutes of exercise and trial 2, was unprecedented.
It’s important to note two specific variables that may play a role in the results. All of the subjects that were tested are athletes, under the age of 16, that workout four or more days a week. In a study conducted by Zoladz (12), “the basal BDNF from athletes competing in various athletic events (sprinters, jumpers, and distance runners) was significantly higher than that of untrained subjects.” Gender may also play a role, according to a study by Randori, “Female athletes presented higher plasma BDNF at rest.”

The only way to accurately conclude on the discovery found in this trial is further research. The mystery of science always leaves more questions than answers. The next step is to study two groups of elitist swimmers, male and female, before and after 60 minutes of vigorous swim. Only then will we, inconclusively, know how best to cram for an impending test. I look forward to exploring this topic further.