If you thought running was just great for the body, then think again.

如果你认为跑步只对身体有好处，那么再想想吧。

Scientists have uncovered evidence the sport not only keeps people trim but also boosts brain power.

科学家已经找到证据证明：体育运动不仅能让人保持苗条身材，还能提升脑力。

The research found that people who keep fit are more likely to have larger brains, better memories and clearer thinking.

研究发现：喜欢健身的人一般大脑更大，记忆力更好，思维更清晰。

They also found that unfit people tended to have smaller brains and reduced cognitive skills.

他们也发现：不喜欢健身的人往往大脑较小，认知功能退化。

The findings add to a growing body of evidence which links exercise with helping protect the brain against ageing and also aiding it replace dying cells.

越来越多的证据表明：锻炼有助于抵御大脑老化，促进死细胞代谢。

This might reduce the risk of debilitating illnesses and diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

锻炼还可能降低患老年痴呆症等退行性疾病的风险。

One research paper within its latest issue sees scientists at Kentucky University putting 30 adults aged 59-69 on a treadmill.

在研究这一新论题的一篇论文中，肯塔基大学的科学家们对30位59-69岁的人做了一项实验，让他们在跑步机上锻炼。

Their heart and lung capacity was measured and an MRI scanner was used to assess the blood flow to their brains.

研究者测量了他们的心肺功能，使用磁共振成像仪判断大脑的血液流量。

Those who were less fit had smaller brains compared to the fitter volunteers who had larger brains.

那些身体不太健壮的志愿者大脑较小，而体格健壮的人大脑较大。

Scientists in Germany followed 21 adults aged between 60-77. As they went through a three-month fitness program they saw improvements in their memory.

德国的科学家们对21名60-77岁的成人做了跟踪调查。经过三个月的运动健身，他们的记忆力得到了改善。

Researchers are not yet sure why exercise helps to protect brain cells but some research in mice has produced results.

研究者们还不确定锻炼有助于保护脑细胞的原因，但已经从一些对老鼠的研究中找到了答案。

Mice, examined at the National Institute on Aging, in Baltimore, found that cells in the hippocampus, an area of the brain used for memory, were actively reproducing while their fatter peers were in decline.

位于巴尔的摩的美国国家衰老研究所发现，那些体型苗条的老鼠，大脑用于记忆的区域——海马体中的细胞在积极地繁殖，而胖老鼠的海马体细胞在下降。

Linda Clare, professor of clinical psychology of ageing and dementia at Exeter University and a member of the Global Council on Brain Health told The Sunday Times: ’Moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as brisk walking, cycling or running can produce changes in brain structure and function.’

英国埃克塞特大学衰老和痴呆临床心理学教授、全球脑健康委员会成员琳达?克莱尔对《星期日泰晤士报》说：“快走、骑车、跑步等中等强度的有氧运动可以改变大脑的结构和功能。”