BIKERS CLUB MAY 2019 ISSUE | Page 24

YOUR BRAIN ON A MOTORCYCLE 18 While a great body is always something to appreciate, an active and healthy brain is priceless. When we drive a car, we sit in a sedentary manner. Navigating a motorcycle requires more work, physically and mentally, which activates the prefrontal areas of the brain. In lay terms, this means riding keeps your brain functioning at its current prime and helps establish higher levels of concentration. A study by Kawishima at the University of Tokyo, titled "The relationship between motorcycle riding and the human mind," tested male motorcyclists between 40 and 50. They evaluated two groups, regular use cyclists and a non-rider control group. Each individual was examined for brain function and cognitive skills. After two months on two wheels, research results were able to conclude riders who rode their motorcycles to the office daily had increased cognitive functioning when compared to those who did not. When they analyzed the data produced by the men, who were also asked to repeat a set of numbers in reverse order, consistent motorcycle riders' scores had increased more than 50 percent, in contrast, the control group's scores slightly decreased. It was also found that these improvements would be lost if regular use of motorcycle ceases. In addition to keep your mind on its best game, riding has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health, helping mood and reducing stress.