Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

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Customer Reviews:

Spark - It's time to change ths world! [Posted on 2008-09-27]
Dr. Ratey always has the ability to bring science and practical wisdom together into big ah-ha moments. (I loved his book "Shadow Syndromes.") Funny, and sad, how we have gotten so far from what our bodies were designed to do - move, exercise, dance, swim, skate, walk, run, skip, play, learn and practice a skill or sport.

Exercise is that crucial missing piece that we all think is something we have no time for in our schedule, today, as if it were a luxury. But Ratey explains exactly why we have to discover that time. Exercise, or the lack of it, affects success in school, at work and in life, and contributes to an overall sense of satisfaction and pleasure. It's not just about the body. It's about the brain.

We need exercise to activate those dopamine neurons in the reward center of the brain. (P.142) The fact that we have a reward area in the brain, is absolutely fascinating to me. Working with ADHD adults, I have had the opportunity to observe the proof of exactly what this book explores. Those adults who exercise, who find new ways to MOVE and do so in a ways that appeal to them - find more contentment, satisfaction and success.

"Spark" certainly creates a mandate for what is lacking in our educational system and in our country's future. If we don't truly get the role that exercise plays, if we can't see the simple science of it all, where are we headed? You know, there is a lot of hope in this book, if only we could share it with all those who design programs for children.

So, get up and move!

Linda Anderson, MA, Master Coach
Specializing in ADHD Adults

This book could change your life [Posted on 2008-10-01]
John Ratey is well known for his groundbreaking work on Attention Deficit Disorder. He coauthored the book, "Driven to Distraction" with Ed Hallowell. His newest book is "Spark- The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain." I found Spark a fascinating read. Ratey cites dozens of studies that span decades and continents. All point to the same conclusion: exercise, and aerobic exercise in particular, boosts the release of important neurotransmitters and enhances cognitive function. For people with ADD or ADHD, this boost can be life changing. Ratey is not prescribing exercise as the "cure" for attention issues, but he does offer specific examples of people who have used exercise to combat the negative effects of stress and attention problems. Many were able to reduce or eliminate ADD medications, though he clearly states that for some people, a combination treatment of both medication and structured exercise may be best.

Ratey talks at length about the success of a special gym program instituted in Naperville, Illinois. The emphasis is on personal fitness. Students in this area have very strong tests scores and a very low rate of childhood obesity. In other places around the country that have implemented a similar program, standardized scores have risen dramatically. These case studies are fascinating.

"Spark" has inspired me to increase my own exercise routine, and also to institute morning recess at home each day. My homeschooled kids are absolutely loving it and we're finding the morning transitions go much more smoothly when we all look forward to getting outside and moving our bodies! We've been running laps on the driveway (five times back and forth to the mailbox is about a mile), doing calisthenics, playing four square, jump rope, and kickball. My three year old has her own method of jumping jacks that is just hilarious to watch. My daughter who has the hyperactive sort of attention deficit enjoys sprinting before school, and appears to have less trouble focusing after she has been active. I think my next investment will be a basketball hoop!

Everyone knows that exercise is good for the body, but it is high time that we recognize how good it is for the mind. For a child who has attention issues, a solid workout each morning may make a real difference. I'd be skeptical of a drug that claimed to, "supercharge your mental circuits to beat stress, sharpen your thinking, lift your mood, boost your memory, and much more" , but these are very real affects that regular exercise can produce. Not all exercise is equally effective in fighting symptoms of ADD. Read this book to find out how to implement a regimen that will work for you or your children.

Spark [Posted on 2008-10-03]
Great Book - Tells the average Joe six pack how to improve his life, mind and Body through exercise . Use your bodies Natural drugs to feel better- and there are Legal

Exercise requires repetition but not the book.  [Posted on 2008-10-06]
The content is interest and important, but he simply repeats himself too much. This is a 250 page book with 75 pages of substance.

Spark hits the mark! [Posted on 2008-10-22]
SPARK is a must read book! Dr. Ratey does an amazing job of relating case study after case study in such an interesting and easy manner. This is so important for people of all ages to read to understand the implications exercise has on everything from ADHD to Alzheimer's Disease! As a personal trainer and advocate for movement in the classroom, I feel this book hits it right on the mark, without being pushy.

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