Spark
The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain
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Spark
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Narrated by:
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Allan Robertson
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Written by:
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John J. Ratey MD
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Eric Hagerman - contributor
About this listen
A groundbreaking and fascinating investigation into the transformative effects of exercise on the brain, from the best-selling 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 sweat? The evidence is incontrovertible: Aerobic exercise physically remodels our brains for peak performance.
In Spark, John J. Ratey, MD, embarks upon a fascinating and entertaining journey through the mind-body connection, presenting startling research to prove that exercise is truly our best defense against everything from depression to ADD to addiction to aggression to menopause to Alzheimer's.
Filled with amazing case studies (such as the revolutionary fitness program in Naperville, Illinois, which has put this school district of 19,000 kids first in the world of science test scores), Spark is the first book to explore comprehensively the connection between exercise and the brain. It will change forever the way you think about your morning run - or, for that matter, simply the way you think.
©2008 John J. Ratey, MD (P)2021 Little, Brown SparkYou may also enjoy...
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What the critics say
"At last a book that explains to me why I feel so much better if I run in the morning! This very readable book describes the science behind the mind-body connection and adds to the evidence that exercise is the best way to stay healthy, alert, and happy!" (Dr. Susan M. Love, author of Dr. Susan Love's Menopause and Hormone Book and Dr. Susan Love's Breast Book)
"Bravo! This is an extremely important book. What Cooper did decades ago for exercise and the heart, Ratey does in SPARK for exercise and the brain. Everyone - teachers, doctors, managers, policy-makers, individuals trying to lead the best kind of life - can benefit enormously from the utterly convincing and brilliantly documented thesis of this ground-breaking work. People know that exercise helps just about everything, except anorexia, but it will surprise most people just how dramatically it improves all areas of mental functioning. So, get moving! You're brain will thank you and repay you many times over." (Edward Hallowell, MD, The Hallowell Centers)
"This book is a real turning point that explains something I've been trying to figure out for years. Having experienced symptoms of both ADHD and mild depression, I have personally witnessed the powerful effects of exercise, and I've suspected that the health benefits go way beyond just fitness. Exercise is not simply necessary, as Dr. Ratey clearly shows, it's medicine." (Greg LeMond, three-time winner of the Tour de France)
What listeners say about Spark
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2022-08-25
Compelling educational content
This book makes you want to lace up your sneakers and get exercising! Loved the scientific content. Not really a story, more like a documentary. Kudos to the author for highlighting and evidencing how exercise can grow our brains, improve mood and keep us healthy both physically and mentally.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- James Gray
- 2021-10-21
Your brain is part of your body
the Author goes into detail on how exercise can help you feel better physically and mentally. exercise is good for all ages and most conditions. I really liked this book, it has motivated me to exercise!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Chris Fudge
- 2021-02-28
Listened to it 2x
As a personal trainer and father to two beautiful boys under 6, I appreciate the detail of science and application in this book. As a son to parents who struggle with cognitive decline I see how this book can help them and how I can apply the concepts in my practice and with my own family.
Thank you John J. Ratey
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lesley
- 2022-11-05
And it begins
This was a great listen. literally the last chapter got me. Heading to a leisure swim after months of inactivity.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Joy
- 2021-01-25
Amazing book!
I love this book, all fact presented are based on research and science and gave me motivation to stick with physical activity. Now I know my “why”!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Davis Montour
- 2023-01-25
Excellent information
Easy to digest info and well researched. Can seem repetitive half way through but definitely worth listening all the way to the end
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Denise Larocque
- 2021-07-28
Million of than you
This book present all I need to know about health. I wish I had read it earlier. Excellent! excellent!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Brent B.
- 2023-02-03
Fantastic! Explains the science of why exercise is important for the brain!
Loves this book. I will buy the hard copy now. Does a good job of explaining the neuroscience behind exercise.
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