Motorcycling improves mental health: With Proof and Citations

[Icomeforyou]

The second stage of a research project into the relationship between motorcycle riding and brain stimulation conducted jointly by Tohoku University and Yamaha is due to wrap up this month, December 2010.

 

Findings of the first stage of this project released in Mar 2009 found that:

 

* riding a motorcycle activates prefrontal areas of the brain;

* differences in brain use and level of brain stimulation can be observed in motorcyclists who ride regularly and in motorcyclists who have not ridden for extended periods;

* Incorporating motorcycle riding into daily life improves various cognitive functions and has positive effects on mental and emotional health such as stress reduction.

 

The area activated covers memory, information processing and concentration functions. Past research data has indicated the prefrontal area does not work as much when driving an automobile.

 

“Riding motorcycles helps keep drivers young by invigorating their brains,” says Ryuta Kawashima, Laboratory of the Department of Functional Brain Imaging, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer at Tohoku University.

 

“Mental care is a very big issue in modern society,” said Kawashima. “I think we made an interesting stir here as data showed you can improve your mental condition simply by using motorbikes to commute.” (source)

 

“We found, as predicted, that the bilateral PFC was activated during motorcycle riding, and that incorporating motorcycle riding into daily life has beneficial effects not only for improving various cognitive functions, but also for reducing mental stress.” - Tohoku University

 

In a separate study - results released earlier this year - it has been found that dirt bike riding improves quality of life.

 

"Off-road riders have high levels of mental and physical functioning quality of life(QOL). Given their higher physical function, off‐road motorcycle riders are less likely than all terrain vehicle riders or the general population to have physical limitations or health problems." - Health & Fitness Journal of Canada 2010;3(1):4--11.

 

The news gets better; the second publication in this series of four reports has confirmed that 96.6% of ORV riders consider themselves to be both positive, optimistic thinkers, are “expected to have lower levels of stress and depression…and a higher overall life satisfaction”. (source)

 

This study is by Burr, Jamie Francis Burr, Ph.D., YORK UNIVERSITY , 2010

 

By comparison there is objective evidence that commuting by car and train increases stress.

 

Commuting by car or train elevates blood pressure, adrenaline, cortisol (neuroendocrine processes that are key players in the fight/flight response) – known stress markers directly implicated in development of cardiovascular disease and suppressed immune function.

 

Cortisol is a well-known mechanism linking environmental exposure to stressors to physical morbidity.

 

“Commuting as a stressor has policy importance as several of the stress indicators sensitive to commuting are early warning signs of other more serious problems." - The Impact of Mode & Mode Transfer Stress study conducted jointly by Cornell University, Polytechnic University & New Jersey Department of Transportation, released in 2004.

 

This study was the first time the adverse impact of commuting conditions on work settings was documented.

 

It also re-confirmed & showed:

 

* Commuting by car & train elevates stress

* carpool passengers experience greater stress than carpool drivers;

* Carpooling was more stressful than solo driving;

* Higher traffic congestion directly relates to less control, less control has a relationship to greater stress.

* Different levels of stress between men & women.

 

I know this is preaching to the choir here, but I thought it was interesting, and deserved sharing with the rideit community.

 

 

Found this on one of the forums I frequent, so thought I'd share with you guys...

 

Merry christmas and wishing all a fulfilling and safe new year! =)

Edited December 22, 2010 by Icomeforyou

[xavw]

very interesting. also one of the first few good things i've come across abt motorcycling, other than the usual "it's so dangerous/risky".

operating a motorcycle activates the brain, have to agree with that. traveling on a motorcycle means you have more control over where, when, how to go to a destination. and get to escape the traffic jam. haha. there's really a type of satisfaction when you get to bypass all the cars stuck in the traffic jam.

[Wormwood]

I knew it! I've been telling people all along that taking the MRT during rush hour causes high blood pressure, hurhur.

[Icomeforyou]

I knew it! I've been telling people all along that taking the MRT during rush hour causes high blood pressure, hurhur.

 

very interesting. also one of the first few good things i've come across abt motorcycling, other than the usual "it's so dangerous/risky".

operating a motorcycle activates the brain, have to agree with that. traveling on a motorcycle means you have more control over where, when, how to go to a destination. and get to escape the traffic jam. haha. there's really a type of satisfaction when you get to bypass all the cars stuck in the traffic jam.

 

Haha yeapp! Now we must try and convince our loved ones... I showed this to my SO, and she went, "Sure, just ride safe"....

 

Win and lose a bit =P

[Raptor]

Better still... race motorcycles.

 

It will really sharpen your reflexes.

[blackant]

“Riding motorcycles helps keep drivers young by invigorating their brains,” says Ryuta Kawashima

 

hahaha this is good.

[cougar]

Go riders go. Its gets better if your traffic is opposite of rush hour, every morning i ride pie to changi, so relax. But opposite direction really stressful man.