Advertisement
A new study--the first of it's kind--suggests that the power of thought is more powerful than scientists originally believed.
A team of researchers at Ohio University assigned two groups of healthy participants to sit in place for 11 minutes a day, five days a week for four weeks.
According to Daily Mail, one group was told to “perform mental imagery of strong muscle contractions,” or imagine themselves lifting weights, while the other group were told to think about whatever they wanted.
In order to track muscle and brain activity, researchers put casts on the wrists of the first group.
Their findings are shocking.
The first group ended up being "stronger, both mentally and physically, than those who sat and thought about whatever they wanted." In fact, they doubled the power of their muscles compared to the first group. Their focus had also strengthened the connection between their brain and their muscles.
This study conducted by the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine is the first to suggest that muscular atrophy could be halted by such techniques.
"What our study suggests is that imagery exercises could be a valuable tool to prevent or slow muscles from becoming weaker when a health problem limits or restricts a person’s mobility," Brain Clark, a professor of physiology and neuroscience at Ohio University said.
He also believes that "specific images can additionally allow the elderly to prevent their muscles from deteriorating and even allow for slower aging."
What do you think about this study? Are you surprised? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Photo Copyright © 2013 Tumblr
