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I’m not sure if going to the gym is more cognitively challenging than sudoku. But something like playing football/socker probably is.

marginalia_nu 4y ago
Dunno, I feel the effect of lifting is mostly one of persistent clarity. Whatever wandering thoughts I had bouncing around in my head before a set of heavy deadlifts, all that is gone after, because the effort of pulling up the bar doesn't permit anything but complete focus.
boomskats 4y ago
I think what's being challenged here is whether tasks that we consider "cognitively challenging" do actually require more "computing power" than physical exercise does. I guess it's decoupling "cognitively challenging" from "computing power".
lc9er 4y ago
I love lifting, and I agree with this. Even running outside, though repetitive, causes you to constantly scan the ground ahead of you for obstacles (crack in the cement, puddles, dog poop, etc), you have the stimulus of the moving background, cars/people/stray pets to avoid. You may not have to think hard about theses things, but your mind is always processing and responding to the stimulus. For me, I think I get the most mental benefits out BJJ. I'd wager any martial art with live sparring would give the same results. When you're doing live sparring, as opposed to just drills, you have to make constant, near instant, adjustments to your defense, look for offensive openings, scan your rolling partner's movements and try to anticipate their next attack, all while being aware of other trainees on the mats (to avoid a random foot or falling body), and working to slow your breathing and maintain composure.
- ojl 4y ago
  I totally agree regarding bjj and live sparring. I do bjj, a bit of judo and also climbing. I think climbing is a bit similar in the way that you need almost constant focus, doing small adjustments and so on. For all these three (and similar) activities there will be consequences if losing focus and starting to think about something else.
- Noumenon72 4y ago
  I tried out the square dancing class my boomer parents attend and found it similarly challenging. You're changing direction, changing partners, and remembering calls. Now I wonder if I'm stagnating by just doing trail run.
xeromal 4y ago
I'd argue against that. If you offer someone a choice between a suduko puzzle or a solidly difficult workout before they're allowed to get one with their evening, I'd guess most people would choose the puzzle. Drumming up the mental fortitude to force yourself to do something difficult is a cognitive challenge.

marginalia_nu 4y ago

Dunno, I feel the effect of lifting is mostly one of persistent clarity. Whatever wandering thoughts I had bouncing around in my head before a set of heavy deadlifts, all that is gone after, because the effort of pulling up the bar doesn't permit anything but complete focus.

boomskats 4y ago

I think what's being challenged here is whether tasks that we consider "cognitively challenging" do actually require more "computing power" than physical exercise does. I guess it's decoupling "cognitively challenging" from "computing power".

lc9er 4y ago

I love lifting, and I agree with this. Even running outside, though repetitive, causes you to constantly scan the ground ahead of you for obstacles (crack in the cement, puddles, dog poop, etc), you have the stimulus of the moving background, cars/people/stray pets to avoid. You may not have to think hard about theses things, but your mind is always processing and responding to the stimulus. For me, I think I get the most mental benefits out BJJ. I'd wager any martial art with live sparring would give the same results. When you're doing live sparring, as opposed to just drills, you have to make constant, near instant, adjustments to your defense, look for offensive openings, scan your rolling partner's movements and try to anticipate their next attack, all while being aware of other trainees on the mats (to avoid a random foot or falling body), and working to slow your breathing and maintain composure.

ojl 4y ago
I totally agree regarding bjj and live sparring. I do bjj, a bit of judo and also climbing. I think climbing is a bit similar in the way that you need almost constant focus, doing small adjustments and so on. For all these three (and similar) activities there will be consequences if losing focus and starting to think about something else.
Noumenon72 4y ago
I tried out the square dancing class my boomer parents attend and found it similarly challenging. You're changing direction, changing partners, and remembering calls. Now I wonder if I'm stagnating by just doing trail run.

xeromal 4y ago

I'd argue against that. If you offer someone a choice between a suduko puzzle or a solidly difficult workout before they're allowed to get one with their evening, I'd guess most people would choose the puzzle. Drumming up the mental fortitude to force yourself to do something difficult is a cognitive challenge.