Say what: too much exercise makes you unpleasant

Normally my department isn't necessarily science, but when something like ‘too much exercise makes you mean' is dropped, you understand that I'm the first to jump in. And I can imagine as a fellow mediocre athlete: you might be too. Because what turns out? Too much movement is not only tough on your body, it also affects your brain.’ wordt gedropt, begrijp je dat ik haantje de voorste ben. En ik kan me zo voorstellen als medemiddelmatige sporter: jij misschien ook wel. Want wat blijkt? Te veel bewegen is niet alleen pittig voor je lichaam, het tast ook nog eens je hersenen aan.

How exactly does that work? I'm going to tell you. Or perhaps better said, the researchers from University College in London. They tested a group of male triathletes where half of the athletes increased their training with 40%, while the others trained as they normally would, after which a brain scan was scheduled for everyone three weeks later. During this scan, they had to answer questions to determine their preference for immediate gratification or a long-term reward. For example, they were asked: ‘Would you like €10 now or rather €60 in six months?’. And guess what? The athletes who had trained the most actually chose more immediate satisfaction than the other group of athletes. Furthermore, it appeared from the brain MRIs of this same group that there was more fatigue visible that is responsible for cognitive control, or flexible action.

‘What we have discovered is that there is an intellectual component involved in exercising and that it has a finite capacity. You can't use it forever,’ explains Bastien Blain, author of the study. Your brain can therefore burn out during exercise (okay, that sounds pretty creepy.) A part of your brain can then be much less active, causing you to act more impulsively after exercising and react meanly to others.

So don't overdo it with exercise, although exercising in moderation is of course very good and healthy for all of us. So just to be clear, dear folks: don't get me wrong, but this is not - I repeat: not - an excuse to cancel that High Intense class today. You’re welcome!