Researchers from the University of Regensburg, Germany, studied 24 people using brain scans. Half were given the task of learning to juggle, while the others were give no special task. After three months, the brains of all 24 people were scanned again. They found that the brains of the people who had learned to juggle had grown in size by 3-4% while no change occurred in the non-juggling group.
The jugglers were found to have more grey matter in the mid-temporal area and the left posterior intraparietal sulcus. Both of these brain areas are involved in the processing of visual and motor information. The researchers also found that the more skilled the jugglers had become at juggling, the greater the brain growth they experienced.
To finish up the experiments, the researchers asked the jugglers to stop practicing. A third set of scans 3 months later showed that the enlarged brain areas of the new jugglers had shrunk back down. This seems to imply a sort of use it or lose it phenomenon. Similarly, the same type of increase/decrease goes on with physical exercise so it really should be of no surprise.
If you’re interested in learning the skill of juggling, I’ve found a couple of great instructional videos below to get you started. Have fun!
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Great article. I have always been active so it is nice to know that my brain is continuing to grow. I learned how to juggle years ago when I was little, but having done it in a while. thanks to your article I will take it up again.
Dark Orbit´s last blog ..Dark Orbit: Starting out
That’s fun way to stimulate our brain.. But too bad I can never do Juggling.. I think I will try to learn it again..
Thanks for the interesting article. Some of us out there are not quite so coordinated and have trouble chewing gum and walking at same time much less walking and juggling! Now that could be a disaster waiting to happen.
Ocala Florida Web Design´s last blog ..Take the Test
I used to juggle back in college and it does help a great deal. Not only does it help develop motor skills, but also eye – hand coordination and concentration. Thanks for reminding us about this simple yet sometimes complex brain boosting strategy.
This is a very difficult activity.
It requires a lot of trainning.
Juggling requires an incredible amount of hand and eye coordination for even a few successful routines. Best advise is to start with two and work to three until you get comfortable and consistent.
Good idea, I could sure use something to improve my brain power. I have tried juggling, but I always spend half the time picking the balls up from the floor.
Just like physical exercises help our body, mental exercises help us grow mentally and juggling has to be a good mental exercise! It involves intense concentration and anticipatory skills… One more reason to learn juggling