Stopping exercise for 10 days can reduce blood flow to the brain.

In journals

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You may lose cardiovascular endurance after stopping exercise for just a few weeks, but how does an extended break affect your brain? A small study was published in Frontiers in August 2016. Aging Neuroscience Cerebral blood flow was examined in physically fit older adults aged 50 to 80 before and after a 10-day period during which they stopped all exercise. The participants, half of whom were male, were all defined as master athletes who had participated in endurance exercise for no less than 15 years. His routine included no less than 4 hours of high-intensity endurance training per week.

Using MRI brain imaging techniques, the researchers found that after the athletes stopped exercising, blood flow decreased by 20% to 30% in eight brain regions, including the left and right hippocampus. The hippocampus is chargeable for learning and memory and is certainly one of the primary brain regions to shrink in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

However, the researchers were quick to indicate that they found no evidence of cognitive decline over the 10-day period — just reduced blood flow to the brain. They also didn’t assess the role of exercise intensity or determine whether reductions in cerebral blood flow may occur sooner than day 10. Previous studies have shown that exercise can increase the expansion of recent blood vessels and brain cells within the brain. This study supports the message that exercise can play a crucial role in mental health, but consistency can be key.