Naples, Florida has a much lauded reputation as the golf capital of the world, and with great courses like TPC Treviso Bay and the Naples Grande Golf Course you certainly won’t hear any disagreement from us. With all of the great golf that surrounds us it is surprising to know that some people like living in Naples purely for the great weather and pristine beaches, but new neurological findings may have you picking up a club and heading for the course.
A recent article in the New York Times notes that studies have found when a person learns a new physical skill as an adult there is an increase in the volume of grey matter in the motor cortex of the brain, which is the area responsible for movement control. A study that involved introducing mice to a more complicated system of running on a wheel produced “increased myelination of neurons in the animals’ motor cortexes.” During myelination parts of the brain cells become insulated, allowing the messages being passed between neurons to be performed quicker than before. This is very exciting considering that scientists once thought that myelination only occurred during infancy and early childhood.
The advantages to physical activities are limitless. You will feel better, increase mobility, and lose weight. Well, if you learn a new sport you might actually gain a little weight, but it will be an increase in grey matter. So what are you waiting for, reserve a round of golf today. And if golf just isn’t your thing how about tennis? Naples is also home to great tennis courts like those at the Naples Grande Beach Resort and the active tennis community at Pelican Bay.
