Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey

Nov 29, 2012 Ensiform rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, work

The author attempts to explain for the layman, but ends up using masses of neurological jargon and acronyms, about the role exercise plays in sharpening our mental processes. Boiling it down to the basics: moving our muscles produces proteins that play roles in neurogenesis and the repair of synapses. It also helps the production of hormones such as serotonin and norepinephrine that regulate mood. Therefore, Ratey argues, daily sustained aerobic exercise is a sure cure-all for depression, ADHD,...more The author attempts to explain for the layman, but ends up using masses of neurological jargon and acronyms, about the role exercise plays in sharpening our mental processes. Boiling it down to the basics: moving our muscles produces proteins that play roles in neurogenesis and the repair of synapses. It also helps the production of hormones such as serotonin and norepinephrine that regulate mood. Therefore, Ratey argues, daily sustained aerobic exercise is a sure cure-all for depression, ADHD, the ravages of aging, raging hormones in menopausal women, addiction, phobias, etc.

He makes his point with study after study, but this certainly could have been a more readable book. First, as noted, Ratey can’t help using baffling medical jargon like LTP (long-term potentiation, or the ability to attach synapses), BDNF (a protein that strengthens brain cells), cortisol, dendrite, VEGF (growth factor), all of which is overwhelming for the average reader. Some of it could easily have been skipped to no detriment to the argument. Second, he then becomes repetitive. In each chapter, he explains how studies show that movement elevates these receptors, factors, and proteins; but really, once is enough. I think the book would have been improved had it had an introductory chapter that showed the hard science, then focused on case studies, for example, only making passing references to the science chapter as needed. Instead, Ratey seems to think he must explain the biological processes each time. Third, he comes off as a zealot, and he has the unfortunate blinders of a zealot: he recommends, without fail, 45 minutes of sustained aerobic activity four days a week, two days of intensive aerobic activity, with focus on strength training, balance, new skill sets (so karate or yoga rather than just running), and social interaction. Yes, I’m sure that would be fantastic, but it’s preposterously unrealistic for the average American, let alone one recovering from addiction or depression. Certainly, Ratey notes often enough that people should start out slow, consult their doctor, and so on, but it’s clear he has no patience for anything but the highest level of activity, and devotes almost no space to developing a slow, reasonable build-up to fitness. The information is good and the science interesting, and Ratey may be perfectly reliable, but the tone of his book is something like that of a cult member or a car salesman. (less)

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Apr 14, 2009 Niki rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book was well written and extremely persuasive. It got me back into fitness again & I'm thankful.

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Oct 07, 2010 Hans rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Students, People with ADHD, Depression, and those who want to live forever.

Shelves: neuroscience, paradigm-shifting, psychology, science, sports, favorites

Incredible read. Everyone knows the benefits of exercise on the muscles and heart but now studies have discovered what it does to the brain, which is even more impressive.

The last couple of years has had an explosion of Neuroscience books. What is even more unbelievable is that the researchers have actually decided to share what they are discovering in a way anyone can understand instead of the typical closed circle of academia.

To some extent the discoveries aren't surprising, but then it is al...more

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Feb 02, 2009 Erinn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: medical, neurology, non-fiction

I've always been in pretty good shape but now I'm interested in exercising more and more regularly. The American public is far too sedentary. Exercise won't cure everything but it makes a lot of diseases such as diabetes, depression, hypertention, arthitis, osteoporosis, insomnia, (the list goes on) easier to treat. This book lays out the scientific information on why exercise is good for our brains and bodies. It also gives you a sense of how to start and accomplish a successful exercise progra...more

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Dec 29, 2008 Nicole rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book gets a bit repetitive after awhile (I quit after reading about 3/4 of it), and the conclusions he drew from some of the research studies seemed to really be stretching what you could reasonably conclude from the actual results.

But it did convince me that I had to start exercising after being pretty sedentary for the last 4 or 5 years. And six months later, I'm still convinced and still exercising...so I guess it had a bigger positive impact on my life than most things I read.

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Apr 04, 2013 Stacy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, non-fiction

This book spells out the variety of positive effects that exercise has on a person's brain. Ratey explains how the human brain has evolved to benefit in many ways from physical activity, including mood regulation, anxiety moderation, higher ability to learn, even staving off mental deterioration. He then details how exercise has benefitted particular subgroups, such as those with ADHD or depression, pregnant women, and the elderly. Despite discussing some unfamiliar neurochemical names, the narr...more

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Apr 25, 2013 Katie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is all about how exercise beneficially affects the brain, in a lot of biological detail. I was so primed to like it, since I exercise more than necessary and wanted to hear lots of info about how I'm going to remain sharp and focused well into old age. And the book certainly did provide that conclusion, but what I didn't like was the lack of citations, notes or references to all the many scientific studies that were cited. Maybe I was missing something obvious (maybe somebody ripped al...more

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Jan 09, 2013 Angelique Scharine rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I'd rate this a 10 if I could!

This is an easy to read, but very much grounded in science, book about the value of exercise. Rather than just focus on the physical, it takes it to the neural level, tying together neuroscience research about how exercise stimulates some of the same neurogenesis processes that stress does and that the exercise/rest cycle grows brain cells, increases focus, aids in mental health, protects against aging, dementia, & disease, and reduces the hormonal effects of m...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Angela rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Who knew there were benefits to exercise beyond staying fit? Evidently, John Ratey. He covers the multiple ways in which exercise can benefit the brain - boosting neurons, assisting memory, alleviating depression, and helping focus those with ADD. The information is put forth in a straight and easy to read format, peppered with real-life situations where exercise has made a drastic difference in someone's life.

I've never been big into exercise for fitness' sake. I want there to be a purpose for...more Who knew there were benefits to exercise beyond staying fit? Evidently, John Ratey. He covers the multiple ways in which exercise can benefit the brain - boosting neurons, assisting memory, alleviating depression, and helping focus those with ADD. The information is put forth in a straight and easy to read format, peppered with real-life situations where exercise has made a drastic difference in someone's life.

I've never been big into exercise for fitness' sake. I want there to be a purpose for what I do - hike up a mountain, ski down a mountain, kayak a river, bike to a destination. This book illustrates the benefits of just getting out there and moving. Modern society means more sedentary interactions over the course of our life. No longer do we need to hunt game or forage for food, which comprised a large majority of our exercise years ago. Because we no longer have those external forces requiring our efforts, we slowly deteriorate, become sluggish, heavy, suffer memory loss and disease.

This isn't a book on how to exercise or the types of exercises to do - it's a book that writes about how exercise benefits us. And note that exercise is something as simple as making sure you walk around several times a day (preferably if you can get your heart rate up to 75% of your maximum heart rate).

While I'm not big into exercise, I know there are benefits and try to run as much as possible. Both for heatlh benefits and for reducing my weight. After finishing this book, I took a harder look at my running style, times, and heart rates. With a few modifications, I finally feel like it's not a huge chore to go running. That's HUGE for me, since running is one of the things I had no joy doing.

Brief summation?
If you ever feel blue, a little bit down, want to focus better, find yourself having a hard time remembering where you put something - go for a walk, hike, bike ride, anything that will increse your heart rate - a little bit of exercise will help clear your mind, create new neural connections in your head, and give you a little break to re-focus your thoughts.
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Aug 28, 2012 Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you run, or think you might want to run. If you are interested in what exercise has to do with your mental state. Read this.

Publisher's Summary
A groundbreaking and fascinating investigation into the transformative effects of exercise on the brain, from the bestselling author and renowned psychiatrist John J. Ratey, MD.
Did you know you can beat stress, lift your mood, fight memory loss, sharpen your intellect, and function better than ever simply by elevating your heart rate and breaking a swe...more

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Apr 19, 2012 Bill rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books

I listened to this on my commute over the last week or so. I think it was a little to scientifically dense to listen to in the car first thing in the morning and again after a long day - I think I would have retained more of the details had I read this.

With that disclaimer out of the way...

The book covers the effect of exercise on the brain. Some very interesting topics - again, I almost wish I had actually read this so I would have retained more of the specific details. Bottom line: there is an...more
I listened to this on my commute over the last week or so. I think it was a little to scientifically dense to listen to in the car first thing in the morning and again after a long day - I think I would have retained more of the details had I read this.

With that disclaimer out of the way...

The book covers the effect of exercise on the brain. Some very interesting topics - again, I almost wish I had actually read this so I would have retained more of the specific details. Bottom line: there is an ever growing body of evidence that exercise is profoundly good for the brain.

First and foremost, exercises gives the processes that spur the creation of new brains cells a kick in the pants. Thats right, exercise can actually help create new brain cells and prevent damage to existing cells. It also primes us to learn more effectively in the period following exercise. There is a great story in the beginning about a school district in the mid-west that has this incredible physical education program (where they teach kids real useful information about exercise, give them all heart rate monitors and make them really train as opposed to sitting around waiting for a turn at badminton or something. Anyway, they use PE as a tool to help prime the kids for learning. The school districts performance, academically, has gone off the charts since this program was started.

Along with this, exercise influences a number of processes and neurotransmitters that make exercise and effective treatment for a host of issues - anxiety, depression, attention deficit disorder, the list goes on and on. The author does not go so far as to suggest that exercise can completely replace the use of medication in sever cases but does cite research that, in those sever cases, exercise can improve the effectiveness of the medication and even lead to lower doses.

He discusses how exercise can help ward off the onset of dementia and Alzheimer's. He also discusses the effect exercise in pregnant women and how it benefits not only the mom-to-be but the baby itself.

He is a little fuzzy on how much exercise is needed to be really effective. Any amount is good but he does think that the more the better and would recommend at least daily workouts. Its also important to mix in high-intensity work. Even more interesting, activities that get your heart rate up relatively high while requiring you to be mentally engaged (like certain types of sports) are the best.

So, if losing the spare tire and staving off a heart attack wasn't reason enough to get off the couch - do it for your brain!
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Jul 23, 2011 Kater Cheek rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

My friend recommended this to me as good solid research for how exercise improves your brain. Not only does exercise make you think faster, it also improves your mood, makes you live longer, and can reverse soem of the effects of aging. Ratey's book makes aerobic exercise sound like a snake-oil panacea, except that he backs it up with evidence as to what it's doing at a chemical level.

Even though I've read more than one book on neurology, some of the biochemistry in this went over my head. I wou...more My friend recommended this to me as good solid research for how exercise improves your brain. Not only does exercise make you think faster, it also improves your mood, makes you live longer, and can reverse soem of the effects of aging. Ratey's book makes aerobic exercise sound like a snake-oil panacea, except that he backs it up with evidence as to what it's doing at a chemical level.

Even though I've read more than one book on neurology, some of the biochemistry in this went over my head. I would have had to read it several times to remember what chemical does what. If you have more of a scientific background, the chemical/neurology might be easier to understand. However, he does describe what each thing means for the layman.

Basically, the premise of this book is that aerobic exercise makes you better in just about every way, shape, and form. He briefly touches on balance and weight-bearing exercise, but mostly, he talks about aerobic exercise, and it gets to the point where you can see he's pretty particular about running.

From the standpoint of a reader who likes science, this was a pretty good book. A little hard to understand at parts, but not more than the book BUZZ or some other pop-science books I've read. It describes exactly what chemicals are released in your blood when you exercise, and what those chemicals do to other chemicals in your brain, and what the underlying result is.

From the standpoint of a woman who would like to be healthier, I found it a little daunting. First of all, because Ratey holds running up as the ideal exercise. I'm a big fan of exercise. I love aerobics, dance, swimming, gardening, walking, weight lifting, rock climbing, martial arts, and pilates and do them whenever the opportunity presents itself without any problem. Running causesme excruciating pain, itching, and depression. So it's hard to read a treatise on exercise that hints strongly that running is really the best type of exercise, that all others are inferior. It's like a vegan reading a treatise that insists that dairy products are really the only decent source of calcium. At one point Ratey gives a hagiographic description of a man who's an expert marathoner. He suggests that despite the runner's 3-4 hours a day of running training, he still has enough time for his job and family. The catch? He only sleeps 5 hours a night. Ugh.

I suppose you can't have a book that talks about exercise that doesn't at some point suggest the ideal amount of exercise. The good news, a little exercise will help you more than you think. More exercise will help you a lot. The bad news, his "ideal" amount of exercise is 45 minutes to an hour of "high" exertion (where jogging is "moderate" and walking is "mild") every day, along with two or three days of interval training. This disincludes the weight-bearing or stretching or balance exercise that one might presumably also want. I'm not sure what sort of lifestyle has room for the "ideal" amount of exercise. Hunter-gatherer maybe. Single guy without a girlfriend. I've read a lot of characters in novels who run an hour every morning, but they're also usually heiresses with violet eyes, who do their taxes early and actually clean behind the refrigerator. Regular schmoes will have to make do with gardening or walking the dog or an occasional game of tennis.

Rainey also discusses how exercise can help children do well at school, and this is something that parents might want to read about. I won't get into specifics, but the results are startling, if true, and make the elimination of PE classes from cash-strapped schools even more of an atrocity.

I recommend this book for pop-science buffs and people who like to obsess about their health.

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Apr 25, 2011 Lisa N rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Loved this book.

Ratey discusses the positive effects of exercise on the brain. Exercise is effective in combating stress, anxiety, ADHD, aging, etc. Exercise works as well as antidepressatnts for alleviating depression. Exercise even helps with addiction—it “rewires” the brain, making it possible to break out of addictive patterns. He cites case studies with alcohol addiction. Random fact I had never really thought about--“Nicotine is an oddball among addictive substances as it works as a stimu...more

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Nov 08, 2009 Jack rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Exercise is good for the brain. Okay, that's credible, could you tell me more? The authors begin with a very promising anecdote about a school in Naperville. I find it compelling. Then they proceed to ramble through a supposed survey of the modern neuroscientific literature. This might be genius. It might be crap. And I can't tell after having read the book, and that's definitely for crap.

I am enormously sympathetic to the challenges of writing a scientific book for the lay public. It's hard. I...more Exercise is good for the brain. Okay, that's credible, could you tell me more? The authors begin with a very promising anecdote about a school in Naperville. I find it compelling. Then they proceed to ramble through a supposed survey of the modern neuroscientific literature. This might be genius. It might be crap. And I can't tell after having read the book, and that's definitely for crap.

I am enormously sympathetic to the challenges of writing a scientific book for the lay public. It's hard. I get it. But compare this to NurtureShock. Neither uses footnotes. Because, I am told, footnotes are scary. But NurtureShock includes a big section at the back where they document the basis for their assertions. They use a trick well known to many historians, of providing detailed references for their assertions in a Notes section by keying to page and then distinctive phrase, rather than to a footnote. This lets one go and read for one self if one finds something interesting or dubious.

The author of Spark take a much more condescending approach. Just trust me, the lead author asserts, he is, after all, on the faculty at Harvard. (Are clinical professors really "on the faculty"?) And so the descriptions of the evidence behind his repeated and bold claims are skimpy, and there is nowhere else to go. And, in a book purporting to be about bringing the benefits of science to people, this seems to me utterly unacceptable.

* * *

Now, it turns out that I'm being hard on Dr. Ratey. If you google him, you can find his webpage. If you go to Publication, you find his book, and when you click on the link to "learn more", you are delivered to Amazon to buy it. (Seriously, not even an alternative to an independent bookstore, John?) But if you go to Resources, you can find a bibliography for each Chapter -- not keyed to individual assertions in the Chapters, mind you -- with a set of references. I couldn't find any reference to this web page in the book when I was initially looking for it. But if you really, really, really insist on seeing the evidence he cites, you can sort of kind of find it. I leave it to you, dear reader, to decide whether this supports or disproves my conjecture about the intellectual tone of the book.(less)

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Aug 08, 2012 Rebecca rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Rebecca by: Liz

Shelves: audio-books

I'm torn on the number of stars I want to give this book. I love the message of the book and it has truly changed the way I think about exercise! = 4/5 stars. But, as a non-scientist, I felt bogged down by the (loooong) sections that tried to explain how certain processes work in the brain. = 2/3 stars. He "proves" his theories with all the scientific stuff, but I'd honestly rather just take his word for it than have him try to explain it. Even though I listened to every word, I pretty much stil...more I'm torn on the number of stars I want to give this book. I love the message of the book and it has truly changed the way I think about exercise! = 4/5 stars. But, as a non-scientist, I felt bogged down by the (loooong) sections that tried to explain how certain processes work in the brain. = 2/3 stars. He "proves" his theories with all the scientific stuff, but I'd honestly rather just take his word for it than have him try to explain it. Even though I listened to every word, I pretty much still had to take his word for it, because I didn't understand what he was explaining. What I did like was the case studies, especially of the school in the first chapter. At this school, P.E. grades are based on effort, not skill, as determined by heart rate monitors. As a slow and uncoordinated athlete (he he) I embrace that concept!!

I am already in the habit of exercising nearly every day, as is my husband. I already encourage my kids to be active: I strictly limit the amount of time they spend on screens; they're all in sports on a weekly or more basis (except for my youngest); I take them swimming, to the park, on bike rides etc. I already knew exercise is good for the body and mind but this book takes it to the next level. Basically the author says exercising literally grows brain cells. As you move your body, you move your brain connections. Exercise today puts a deposit in your brain's bank account for your golden years. I believe it and am even more motivated to stay active and to keep my kids active. I feel validated as a mom battling against screens for my kids. (Sorry, kids!) Oh, except I have to say, now I'm thinking about getting Just Dance for our Wii.

I'm on the primal bandwagon and this book fits right in with that lifestyle and backs it up with science (that I don't understand!)

What stuck out to me the very most is the author's recommendation for certain sports for kids with ADHD. I have two kids diagnosed with ADHD. Two of the sports he recommends are gymnastics and karate. It just so happens that my daughter (ADHD with a capital H) is in gymnastics (and she's amazing!!) and my son is in karate. They picked their sports . . . I wonder if their brains knew something I didn't? I've heard before that exercise has the same effect on the brain as ADHD pills, but without the side effects. The author of this book agrees. Our son does fine without medication, but our daughter needs it to get through the school year. This summer I decided to not give her her pills, let her more active summer days be her drug and get rid of some of the side effects. I've been surprised by how well she's done. I'm a believer. If only the school days weren't so stressful on her. I think our school does a great job with keeping the kids active, especially the last couple of years with a grant they won . . . but it's still school and she still struggles.

Anyway . . . I think I just wrote a long journal entry trying to pass as a book review.(less)

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Dec 26, 2009 Karin rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, health, exercise, science, borrowed-from-the-library

Exercise can be an important part of brain function. John Ratey discusses how exercise can help build new connections in the brain, can be used in treating depression, anxiety, PMS, menopause, ADHD, addiction, and symptoms of aging. Some schools in Naperville, Illinois, have even adopted a revolutionary physical education program to get their students ready to learn and to make them healthier individuals who value exercise as a regular component of their lives.

This was a really fascinating look...more

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May 20, 2013 Lindsey rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: PE teachers, school administrators, anyone with any kind of psychological issues, doctors

Shelves: audiobooks, nonfiction, health-and-fitness, science, 2013, psychology

Great summary of current research into effects of exercise on learning, dementia, psychological issues like addiction, anxiety, depression, etc. One of the main points of the books is that a little stress for your body is good; anything that makes it have to repair and rebuild itself keeps your cells strong and functioning well. Exercise, of course, is a form of stress. Mild calorie restriction is another. Constantly challenging your body, especially once you're past 30, is so necessary to keep...more Great summary of current research into effects of exercise on learning, dementia, psychological issues like addiction, anxiety, depression, etc. One of the main points of the books is that a little stress for your body is good; anything that makes it have to repair and rebuild itself keeps your cells strong and functioning well. Exercise, of course, is a form of stress. Mild calorie restriction is another. Constantly challenging your body, especially once you're past 30, is so necessary to keep yourself from wasting away through the years.

I loved that the author, who is a psychiatrist, encourages people to exercise for their brains and not just their bodies. This is very compelling to nerds like me who just live in their brains and not much in their bodies. For years I've been very familiar with how important exercise is, and even though I know how much it can help maintain and improve health, I still have a hard time feeling motivated about it, and I rarely can stay motivated for long to do much past a walk or two a day. Knowing that exercise is helping to not just maintain but build my brain so that I can become an even better reader, physics student, and programmer? Now that will motivate me to get out the door and stay out more often and longer than I do currently. If nothing else sticks with me from the book, I hope the concept of exercise as "Miracle-Gro for the brain" will. And this point really hit me too - "If you're not busy living [moving your body and engaging your brain], then you're busy dying."

Another highlight of the book for me was the section on exercise and addiction. I've struggled with food addiction for my entire life (though, it's not been as bad since I became vegan 5 years ago), so knowing that I can balance out the dopamine/dopamine receptors in my brain with regular vigorous exercise is encouraging. Exercise alone doesn't help all that much with weight loss, not as much as a proper diet (which for me, means whole foods high-complex-carb, low-fat plant-based) does, but if it can help to make the food component of weight loss easier, then that is great and another big motivator for me.

I really wish all educators would read this book, for the first couple chapters at least, to learn how critical it is for students to get good exercise everyday. It's so wrong that so many kids have to be sedentary for the entire school day, and this is actually a detriment to their learning. More hours of class with no exercise does not help improve learning (from a study cited in the book). It's really too much for me to go into here, but I can't write this review without mentioning how impressive the fitness program and the results of the program at Naperville Central High School are. I feel lucky that I grew up in Illinois where we are required to have 13 years of PE (daily in middle and high school), but kudos to Naperville's PE teachers who are turning gym into more of a personal fitness improvement program (All kids use heart rate monitors, so that way the teacher cannot just think a student running slowly is just being a lazy ass like one teacher admitted before putting a HRM on a thin girl who looked lazy during her running but then after having her wear the HRM, found out that she was working at about 100% of her maximum heart rate!) rather than a competitive sports perspective - which was tons of fun for me, since I was athletic and liked sports back in the day, but was probably awful for a lot of kids and did not really help them get great exercise and reap the benefits from it. If anything, it probably turned them off from it.

I took off a star because of all the depressing animal studies referred to.(less)

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Feb 02, 2013 Sal Coraccio rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wonderfully informative and enlightening book! Some may find it somewhat technical, but I think it has to be. Surely even the level presented here is reduced significantly in depth.

The evidence is abundantly clear: exercise or suffer. Humans are evolved to move in order to find uncooperative sources of food - yet here we are surrounded by extreme convenience coupled with a lack of personal motility. No wonder we are fat and stupid.

More than an "eat healthy or get fat" message, the book shows th...more

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Dec 18, 2012 Sandy Michalka rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Not being a scientist or healthcare professional, I skimmed over many of the scientific references, specific data, etc. However the significance of the research as explained by the author is convincingly clear. Mood and intelligence are directly linked to physical movement and physical development. This quote puts it succinctly:

“I’ve trumpeted the astounding impact of aerobic activity on the brain in the hope that if you understand what’s actually going on up there when you go for a run, you’ll...more

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Dec 24, 2011 Taka rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2-nonfiction-you-must-read, iu-fall-2011, popular-science, health

A GREAT tool to have under your belt--

I knew instinctively exercise was good for the brain, but this book goes into great detail about how exercise influences the biology of our brains and hence our minds, all backed up by science.

I learned all sorts of cool and useful facts—e.g. the calming effect of exercise lasts up to 1.5 hours, aerobic exercise increases brain capacity by growing new capillaries, exercise an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, and ADHD, and how the mind stays shar...more

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Mar 14, 2013 Jerry Vanvactor rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book is incredibly persuasive and the author provides a truly scientifically grounded analysis of the positive impact fitness has on a person's life. The author provides an in-depth analysis of why fitness is so incredibly important in a person's life. The best thing I appreciated in this author's work is that he relied on worldwide research to support his position. So many of these self-help type books are grounded so deeply in American research that one is left believing that no other nat...more

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Mar 27, 2009 Cj rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I like to move. I don't dread exercise, I enjoy it. My problem is that I tend to relegate exercise into the category of "fun" instead of "necessity". Because of this, I am always on the look out for ways to remind myself that exercise is essential. In that regard Spark is extremely handy. I don't like exercising because it is "healthy"; I find that reasoning way too wishy-washy for my brain to wrap around. I like looking good. But I suppose I'm just not shallow enough to devote my time to my own...more I like to move. I don't dread exercise, I enjoy it. My problem is that I tend to relegate exercise into the category of "fun" instead of "necessity". Because of this, I am always on the look out for ways to remind myself that exercise is essential. In that regard Spark is extremely handy. I don't like exercising because it is "healthy"; I find that reasoning way too wishy-washy for my brain to wrap around. I like looking good. But I suppose I'm just not shallow enough to devote my time to my own ego. But I like my brain...most of the time. Dr. Ratey emphasizes that exercising is not for your body but for your mind. For me, science junkie that I am, his effort to demonstrate the necessity of exercise for my brain was extremely motivational and made sense.

But I don't like the way he did it. The problem is: he doesn't back up his claims with any references to the research he cites. One of my favorite science-as-self-help books is Daniel Goleman's Emotional Intelligence, and I enjoy Malcolm Gladwell's watered-down research in Blink. I'm not sure how good their references are, but both authors cite the research they use to prove their points. From Dr. Ratey there is zip! In one chapter he refers to a study done by the U.S Department of Energy that tracked two groups of nuclear shipyard workers. One group was exposed to radiation, the other group wasn't. Supposedly, the group exposed to the radiation was in better health. Then he claims the study was never published because it failed to show the expected malignant results of radiation. Maybe that is true. Maybe it's not. But there isn't much the reader can do but accept what he says. When authors use research to support their claims, but then are vague about their sources, it makes me very uncomfortable, especially when I can compare it to other books where the authors make a much better effort to give their ideas credibility, even in the field of pop-science.

I don't regret reading it. It offers a very interesting perspective on why I should make exercise a priority, and it has motivated me to change bits of my life style to make that happen. I could not recommend buying it, which is a shame since his ideas seem very interesting and worth exploring. But that's the problem: he offers the reader no option for exploration of the ideas he presents.(less)

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Jun 04, 2011 Amy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: EVERYONE

Recommended to Amy by: ?

This book should be required reading of anyone who intends to live a fully healthy life--required by him/herself, preferably. I cannot say enough good about it in terms of accessibility, clarity, and breadth. Aerobic exercise has been a (usually) regular part of my life since my father had his first heart attack when I was fifteen (after my mother had had a "coronary" when I was thirteen). I have long been convinced of the emotional, mental, and physical benefits of exercise. Now I know why and...more

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Feb 02, 2013 Larry Gagnon rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Spark" is readable, while at the same time, scientific (filled with medical and biological terms) book describing the mind-body connection. It is rich with evidence that exercise is the best way to stay healthy. John Ratey's clear description of what goes on in our bodies, more specifically our brains, when we engage in physical movement (exercise) will create a sense of urgency to take action, not only as individuals but also within our schools and medical practices.

Dr. John Ratey's "Spark" de...more

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May 19, 2013 Matt Bodien rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: psychology-marketing

Exercise feels good because it is what our body expects out of us. Exercise is prescribed in our genes, so to provide our body such, we are optimizing not only our body functions, but our brains.

"...the human species [is] an endurance predator. The genes that govern our bodies today evolved hudnreds of thousands of years go, when we were in constant motion, either foraging for food or chasing antelope for hours and days across the plains.
...Today, of course, there is no need to forage and hunt t...more

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Mar 26, 2012 Marcelo rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cognitive, health, sports

This book really deserves a 5-star rating. Not because it's one of those "almost perfect" books, but because of the meaningful impact it will probably have in the life of the reader.

You'll be eager and excited to seriously insert exercise in your daily routine after reading this. The positive consequences mentioned in the book are all really visible to anyone after a few weeks or months of training.

When I first saw the book, I thought "how could anyone write a WHOLE book on the relationship betw...more

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Nov 04, 2010 Whistlerite rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction, popular-science, fitness

Rating: 3½ out of 5

Exercise is not only good for you, it's even better for you than you ever imagined.

That's the cheerful message of this book, which is stuffed with detailed information on the positive effects, large and small, of physical activity. Anyone looking for motivation to adopt a healthier lifestyle will appreciate Dr. Ratey's exuberance: He appears to be genuinely awestruck by the implications of the research, and from start to finish never ceases to marvel at the long list of benefi...more

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Mar 08, 2011 Sher rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I liked this book a lot. I have from time to time been an exercise fanatic. It has been 6 months, though, since I have exercised regularly due to a knee injury, and then a minor foot surgery. I am so ready to get back at it. This book has helped me see just how important exercise is at all ages and in almost every condition. It is the healthy thing to do. And we need to encourage our children to get out and move as well.

With that said, I must say the book itself dragged a little, especially in...more

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Feb 28, 2013 Pete Storm rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Another good book about the science of exercising. Much more focused on brain functioning than the last one I read, which was more general health.

The beginning is great, where they go over all the various hormones and body response to exercise, and how the brain responds. The middle bogs down a bit - there's a chapter on depression, one on ADHD, one on addiction, another on PMS, pregnancy and menopause. It goes into depth on each topic, but they are all the same - exercise leads to hormones lead...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Angela rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2007-2010

Ratey is a noted researcher in brain science. His research has led him to the conclusion that exercise does affect our brains and can help prevent and lessen the effects of stress, depression, bipolar disorder, Asberger’s syndrome, and Alzheimer’s disease, to name a few. He also notes how those who are more fit physically are also more fit mentally. The body and brain are connected, and Ratey’s research shows both that connection and how to take advantage of it.
• Mild language, infrequent
• Dry w...more

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Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

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