Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden have found that young adults who are physically fit score better on their IQ tests, reports. There is a strong correlation between fitness and logical thinking and verbal comprehension, but the correlation doesn’t stand in relation to muscular strength.
“Being fit means that you also have good heart and lung capacity and that your brain gets plenty of oxygen,” says professor Michael Nilsson of the , who is chief physician at the , where the study was conducted. “This may be one of the reasons why we can see a clear link with fitness, but not with muscular strength.” The research subjects were 1.2 million Swedish men serving in the military and born between 1950 and 1976.
–Aileen Torres