Health

What we gain by exercising together

The draw of group exercise might be rooted in unique changes in the brain that occur during team flow

February 22, 2022
About 30 people running together in a road race.
When people are in a team flow state, the firing patterns of their brain cells can synchronize more than when they’re not. [Credit: rorris | CC BY-SA 2.0]

The Central Park Running Club meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 in the morning. Not much stops them from starting their days together with an early morning jaunt through the park — not cold, not rain and not even January’s big snowstorm

What’s so special about exercising together that it gets these intrepid Central Park runners out of bed and onto the road each week? In this episode of the Scienceline podcast, Emily talks to runners, a neuroscientist and a health psychologist to find out. 

Music: 

Springtime After a Long Winter by Azovmusic | End-User License Agreement

Sound Effects:

Guitar: Alexander Nakarada | CC BY 4.0

About the Author

Emily Harris

Emily Harris majored in chemistry at Williams College, where she also deepened her interests in neuroscience and psychology. Before SHERP, she worked as a research assistant for a longitudinal study on aging. Emily looks forward to making health and medical information accessible and relevant by combining storytelling with the translation of scientific concepts. Raised in New Hampshire, she enjoys trail running and hiking.

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