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Spark

The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

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Spark

Written by: John J. Ratey MD, Eric Hagerman
Narrated by: Allan Robertson
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A groundbreaking and fascinating investigation into the transformative effects of exercise on the brain, from the bestselling author and renowned psychiatrist John J. Ratey, MD.

Did you know you can beat stress, lift your mood, fight memory loss, sharpen your intellect, and function better than ever simply by elevating your heart rate and breaking a sweat? The evidence is incontrovertible: Aerobic exercise physically remodels our brains for peak performance.

In Spark, John J. Ratey, M.D., embarks upon a fascinating and entertaining journey through the mind-body connection, presenting startling research to prove that exercise is truly our best defense against everything from depression to ADD to addiction to aggression to menopause to Alzheimer's.

Filled with amazing case studies (such as the revolutionary fitness program in Naperville, Illinois, which has put this school district of 19,000 kids first in the world of science test scores), Spark is the first book to explore comprehensively the connection between exercise and the brain. It will change forever the way you think about your morning run—or, for that matter, simply the way you think.

Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Mental Health Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Physical Exercise Human Brain Health Heartfelt Dementia Alzheimer's Disease Substance Abuse Exercise Science
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What the critics say

"At last a book that explains to me why I feel so much better if I run in the morning! This very readable book describes the science behind the mind-body connection and adds to the evidence that exercise is the best way to stay healthy, alert, and happy!"—Dr. Susan M. Love, Dr. Susan Love's Menopause and Hormone Book and Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book
"Bravo! This is an extremely important book. What Cooper did decades ago for exercise and the heart, Ratey does in SPARK for exercise and the brain. Everyone--teachers, doctors, managers, policy-makers, individuals trying to lead the best kind of life--can benefit enormously from the utterly convincing and brilliantly documented thesis of this ground-breaking work. People know that exercise helps just about everything, except anorexia, but it will surprise most people just how dramatically it improves all areas of mental functioning. So, get moving! You're brain will thank you and repay you many times over."—Edward Hallowell, M.D., The Hallowell Centers
"This book is a real turning point that explains something I've been trying to figure out for years. Having experienced symptoms of both ADHD and mild depression, I have personally witnessed the powerful effects of exercise, and I've suspected that the health benefits go way beyond just fitness. Exercise is not simply necessary, as Dr. Ratey clearly shows, it's medicine."—Greg LeMond, Three-time winner of the Tour de France
"SPARK is just what we need-a thoughtful, interesting, scientific treatise on the powerful and positive impact of exercise on the brain. In mental health, exercise is a growth stock and Ratey is our best broker."—Ken Duckworth, M.D., Medical Director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness
All stars
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This book makes you want to lace up your sneakers and get exercising! Loved the scientific content. Not really a story, more like a documentary. Kudos to the author for highlighting and evidencing how exercise can grow our brains, improve mood and keep us healthy both physically and mentally.

Compelling educational content

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the Author goes into detail on how exercise can help you feel better physically and mentally. exercise is good for all ages and most conditions. I really liked this book, it has motivated me to exercise!

Your brain is part of your body

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This was a great listen. literally the last chapter got me. Heading to a leisure swim after months of inactivity.

And it begins

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This book is an action call for daily aerobic exercise, plus frequent weight and balance training. It makes a very compelling argument for why exercise is important at every stage of life, including during work hours, and how it works to help us concentrate, come out of a thinking rut and be our best self. I had to drop to 4 stars because the chapter on hormonal changes and guidance on HRT is false and misleading in a damaging way, and missing the crucial role of estrogen in muscle development and maintenance. Specifically around the WHIMS study conclusions. If you can't cover a topic accurately and appropriately, leave it out. Other than accuracy, lumping all female hormonal stages in one chapter is rather damaging to the author's credibility. Still, the argument that exercise helps through all stages, holds true.

most compelling book about exercise

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As a personal trainer and father to two beautiful boys under 6, I appreciate the detail of science and application in this book. As a son to parents who struggle with cognitive decline I see how this book can help them and how I can apply the concepts in my practice and with my own family.

Thank you John J. Ratey

Listened to it 2x

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