Unveiling the Brain's Secrets through Pupil Dilation

New research suggests that pupil dilation during very light exercise could serve as a predictive marker for exercise-induced cognitive improvements. The study found that pupils dilated during exercise and the extent of dilation was associated with subsequent improvements in executive function performance. The researchers also observed increased activity in the prefrontal cortex during an executive function task after exercise. These findings highlight the role of the brain's arousal system in the cognitive benefits of exercise and suggest that pupil diameter changes could be a novel biomarker for understanding the effects of exercise on the brain.