Are you preparing for a big test? If so, you may want to play some basketball in between hitting the books. Doctors are starting to find more and more information that suggests a connection between exercise and brain development. Judy Cameron, a scientist at Oregon Health and Science University, studies brain development. According to her research, it seems that exercise can make blood vessels (血管), including those in the brain, stronger and more fully developed. Dr Cameron claims this allows people who exercise to concentrate better. She says, “ While we already know that exercise is good for the heart, exercise can really cause physical changes in the brain.”
The effects of exercise on brain development can even be seen in babies. Babies who do activities that require a lot of movement and physical activity show greater brain development than babies who are less physically active. With babies, even a little movement can show big results.
Older people can beef up (加强) their brain as well. Scientists from 11 universities studied a group of seniors ranging in age from 70 to 79. Their study showed a short-term memory increase of up to 40 per cent after exercising just three hours a week. The exercise does not have to be very difficult, but it does have to increase the heart rate. Also, just like the motion for babies, exercise for seniors should involve some complexity (复杂). Learning some new skills or motions, such as with yoga or Tai Ji, helps open up memory paths in the brain that may not have used for a long time.
For most people, any type of physical activity that increases the heart rate is helpful. The main goal is to increase the brain’s flow of blood. And your brain can benefit from as little as three hours of exercise a week.
【小题1】The passage is mainly about _________.A.how to exercise | B.how exercise helps the brain |
C.how to get good scores in a test | D.how the brain can change |
A.Exercise makes us happy. | B.The brain needs special mental exercise. |
C.The more exercise, the bigger the brain. | D.Exercise helps the brain develop better. |
A.Three hours per week | B.Forty hours per week |
C.Three hours per day | D.Forty hours per month |
A.It is easy to learn. | B.It can be done in groups. |
C.It does not increase the heart rate. | D.It can learn some new skills. |
It is probably the strangest sport anyone has ever invented. And at first sight, it looks like the easiest. Competitors have to do two things. The first is to stand still. The second is to place their hands anywhere on the body of a car, and keep it there.
This is where things start getting difficult. Lots of people are doing the same thing. And the winner of the “handstand” contest is the person who can carry on doing it for the longest time. That person gets to own the car.
It still seems to be an easy thing to do. At the beginning it is. Anyone can stand still. But when the contest has been going for four or five days, standing still seems like the most difficult job in the world . And keeping the hand in place over this time becomes an act of serious attention. After a few days, the hand seems to belong to someone else----someone who wants to go home and get some sleep.
Competitors are allowed to take a five-minute break every hour to eat, drink or do whatever else is necessary. No one is allowed to lean on the car for support. Winners need to be able to show great powers of attention. They also need to be able to develop special skills.
Maybe the popularity of the “handathon” is due to the fact that it is not necessary to be a trained athlete to enter. Competitors in the Longview handathon certainly don’t seem to do much preparation. Most say they will prepare by “getting lots of sleep”. Others say they will “eat healthy food” or “pray for success”. The whole event gives ordinary people the chance to do something interesting and win something in the end.
Handathons are competitions, but there is little rivalry (竞争) between competitors. They help each other out and keep each other’s spitits up. People who drop out early return with food, drink and encouragement.
【小题1】What ability is most important in a handathon?A.Having strong powers of attention | B.Standing without any support |
C.Not leaning on the car | D.Eating and drinking in five minutes |
A.It doesn’t need to make any preparation. |
B.Someone can win with special training |
C.Anyone who is interested can join in it. |
D.People get along well with each other in it. |
A.Competitors are not allowed to drop out |
B.Competitors don’t encourage each other |
C.Competitors can sit down and take a 10-minute break every hour |
D.A competitor has to place his or her hand anywhere on the body of a car. |
A.It is the easiest of all sports. |
B.It is not as easy as it looks at first. |
C.It can last a whole day. |
D.It is no good competing in a “handathon” |
How to overcome gym anxiety
Here are some practical tips to help you overcome anxiety in the gym and create a positive, empowering experience for yourself.
Set realistic expectations
The first step in overcoming gym anxiety is to set realistic expectations. Understand that everyone starts somewhere and that the gym is a place for personal growth and improvement.
Plan ahead and familiarise yourself
Start slowly and gradually
Ease into your gym routine by starting with exercises and machines you are comfortable with.
Having a gym partner can provide huge support and motivation. Consider finding a friend who shares your fitness goals or seeking guidance from a personal trainer. A supportive companion or an expert can provide guidance, encourage you during workouts, and help remove anxiety by offering tips and feedback.
Practice mindfulness techniques
Mindfulness exercises can be powerful tools to fight anxiety in any setting, including the gym.
A.Find a gym partner or seek professional help |
B.Fight gym anxiety and unlock your true potential |
C.Remind yourself that progress certainly takes time. |
D.Feeling prepared can significantly reduce anxiety levels. |
E.Stepping foot inside a gym can cause feelings of anxiety. |
F.Prior to your workout, take minutes to engage in deep breathing or thinking. |
G.Gradually introduce new exercises or equipment as you become more confident. |
FIVE UNUSUAL SPORTS
What sports are you into? Football? Tennis? Swimming? If you’re looking for a change, you might like to try one of these.
Octopush
Octopush (or underwater hockey as it’s also known) is a form of hockey that’s played in a swimming pool. Participants wear a mask and snorkel and try to move a puck (水球) across the bottom of a pool. The sport has become popular in countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. An ability to hold your breath for long periods of time is a definite plus.
Zoobombing
Zoobombing involves riding a children’s bike down a steep hill. The sport originated in the US city of Portland in Oregon in 2002. Participants carry their bikes on the MAX Light Rail and go to the Washington Park station next to Oregon Zoo (which is why it’s called “zoobombing”). From there, they take a lift to the surface, and then ride the mini-bikes down the hills in the area.
Office Chair Racing
Office Chair Racing consists of racing down a hill in office chairs that can reach speeds of up to 30kph. Strict rules are in place for competitors: they’re allowed to fit in-line skate wheels and handles to their chairs, but no motors. “We check each chair carefully in advance,” one of the organisers explained. The participants race in pairs wearing protective padding as they launch themselves from a ramp. Prizes are given to the fastest competitors and also for the best-designed chairs.
Fit 4 Drums
Fit 4 Drums is a new form of cardio-rhythmic exercise. Led by an instructor, the class involves beating a specially-designed drum with two sticks while dancing at the same time. It’s the first group fitness activity where you get to play a drum while getting an intense workout. A sense of rhythm is a definite advantage!
Horse Boarding
Horse Boarding involves being towed behind a horse at 35mph on an off-road skateboard. Professional stuntman Daniel Fowler Prime invented the sport after he strung a rope between his off-road “mountain board” and a horse. Participants stand on a board while holding onto a rope, attempting to maintain their balance as the horse gallops ahead. “The horse rider and the horse have to work together because if they don’t, the horse goes flying,” Daniel explained.
So, which sport would you like to try?
【小题1】What do you need to do if you want to play Octopush?A.To swim on the surface of the water. |
B.To eat enough food before you play Octopush. |
C.To play it by the side of the shore. |
D.To wear a mask and underwater breathing tube |
A.Zoobombing | B.Office Chair Racing |
C.Fit 4 Drums | D.Horse Boarding |
A.One doesn’t have to play well, it’s enough to play better than your opponent. |
B.Never let your feet run faster than your shoes. |
C.The bigger they come, the harder they fall. |
D.Every chess master was once a beginner. |
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