What is it about?
Orienteering is a sport combining exercise with map-and-compass navigation. Highly skilled orienteers have shown better spatial memory and navigational strategies over years of practice, but how little orienteering is needed to benefit cognitive performance? Here, we have shown in novice orienteers that just one session of orienteering performed at a vigorous intensity improved spatial cognition and increased markers of neuroplasticity.
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Photo by Hendrik Morkel on Unsplash
Why is it important?
In our modern society where spatial abilities are neglected due to an over-reliance on GPS and dementia risk continues to rise with an aging population, protecting our cognitive abilities has never been so important. Our study highlights orienteering as a unique way to get active and boost brain function.
Perspectives
Orienteering is a lifelong sport, enjoyed by people aged 6 to 86. Despite its popularity in Scandinavia, where it originated, many around the world remain unaware of it. This article aims to introduce you to orienteering, highlighting its benefits and potential to enhance both body and mind. I hope you’ll be inspired to try this unique sport and incorporate its elements into your daily routine.
Emma Waddington
McMaster University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Orienteering combines vigorous-intensity exercise with navigation to improve human cognition and increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor, PLoS ONE, May 2024, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303785.
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