Practiced or engaged in physical activity to stay healthy, or used and applied a skill or power.
From Latin 'exercere' meaning 'to drive out or keep busy'; the root 'exerc-' combines 'ex-' (out) and 'arcere' (to confine), originally meaning to keep something working. The modern sense developed in Middle English.
Your brain actually gets stronger from exercise the same way your muscles do—physical activity boosts a protein called BDNF that helps your neurons connect better, making you literally smarter and happier.
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