The health benefits of physical activity are seen in EVERYONE!!! From children to older adults, women and men, people of different races and ethnicities, and even people with chronic conditions; the health benefits can be seen in everyone. The benefits of physical activity are completely independent of body weight. The benefits that physical activity have on our physical body are more widely known, but it can also help your brain functions! The benefits of physical activity on the brain are immediate, long lasting and protective.  

Immediate

• Increases the levels of neurotransmitters
  • Including: dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline- all will immediately improve your mood
• Improves the ability to shift and focus attention for at least 2 hours

Long-Lasting

• Produces new brain cells in the hippocampus which improves your long-term memory
• Improves attention function that is dependent on the prefrontal cortex

Protective

• Increases the size of the two areas of the brain that are most susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases (prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus) 
• Can make it take longer for diseases to take effect

When do these benefits occur?

Immediately! All other benefits of physical activity begin with just 60 minutes a week. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines, research shows that reducing the risk of many chronic diseases can occur with at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity. Achieving this goal can be accomplished with simply brisk walking. 

The brain-changing benefits of exercise | Wendy Suzuki

Buddy Broncho

Buddy Broncho made his first appearance in UCO's own newspaper The Vista. It was the October 3, 1932, issue where a Broncho appears wearing a UCO football uniform. He has appeared numerous times throughout the years from local Edmond papers in the 60's to state-wide papers in the 80's. The commissioning of the first ever live mascot appears in UCO's 1979 Bronze Book where Buddy Broncho made his first public appearance at Homecoming. Since that time, Buddy has been a fixture at UCO events and in the hearts of UCO students.