A new study from Penn State has uncovered a surprising physical link between exercise and brain health, showing that even basic movements may help the brain “clean” itself.

The research, published in Nature Neuroscience, found that body motion can trigger a gentle flushing mechanism inside the brain. Researchers say the process appears to be driven by the abdominal muscles.

Using mouse models, the team discovered that the brain is mechanically connected to the abdomen through a network of blood vessels that act like a hydraulic system.

Patrick Drew, a professor of engineering science and mechanics, neurosurgery, biology, and biomedical engineering at Penn State, said in a press release that, “Every time the mice contract their abdominal muscles — like when they walk — blood moves from the abdomen into the spinal canal.”

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That small movement of blood produces pressure that causes the brain to subtly shift or “sway” within the skull.

The brain is surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, which acts as a natural cleansing agent within the body. Scientists have long believed that CSF helps remove cellular waste linked to neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The Penn State team used advanced computer simulations to show that even this tiny, rhythmic movement of the brain can help drive the flow of fluid through brain tissue.

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Their findings suggest that when the brain moves, the shift helps push cerebrospinal fluid through channels in the tissue, possibly clearing away buildup that could be harmful.

“Our research explains how just moving around might serve as an important physiological mechanism promoting brain health,” Drew said.

To verify what caused this effect, the team applied slight pressure to the abdomens of mice without having them exercise or move otherwise.

The researchers found that even gentle compression — less than what a person feels during a routine blood pressure check — was enough to make the brain shift and set off fluid motion.

“We were surprised at how tightly linked the brain motion was to the abdominal muscle contraction,” Drew said.

However, Drew emphasized that the results were observed in mice, not humans, meaning more work is needed to determine if a similar mechanism exists in people.

The researchers also relied on simulation models to track fluid flow rather than measuring it directly in a living brain, which is another limitation of the study.

Still, Drew noted that the results provide another reminder of the potential brain benefits tied to simple movement and regular physical activity. “Our research shows that a little bit of motion is good, and it could be another reason why exercise is good for our brain health,” he said.

Khloe Quill of Fox News Digital reported the findings, noting that Penn State’s research adds a new dimension to understanding the mechanical role that physical motion may play in keeping the brain healthy.