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Exercise seems to be good for the human brain, with many recent studies suggesting that regular exercise improves memory and thinking skills. But an interesting new study asks whether the apparent cognitive benefits from exercise are real or just a placebo effect — that is, if we think we will be “smarter” after exercise, do our brains respond accordingly? The answer has significant implications for any of us hoping to use exercise to keep our minds sharp throughout our lives. 体育锻炼似乎对大脑有益，最近的许多研究表明，经常锻炼可以改善记忆和思维能力。但一项有趣的新研究却提出了这样的问题：体育锻炼在提高认知能力方面显现出来的益处，是真实存在，还是心理作用？也就是说，假如我们相信自己在运动之后会“更聪明”，我们的大脑会不会做出相应的反应？对于想要通过锻炼来在一生中保持头脑敏捷的人来说，这个问题的答案至关重要。 In experimental science, the best, most reliable studies randomly divide participants into two groups, one of which receives the drug or other treatment being studied and the other of which is given a placebo, similar in appearance to the drug, but not containing the active ingredient. 在实验科学中，最出色可靠的研究会把参与者随机分为两组，一组得到正在研究的药物或治疗方法，另一组得到的则是无效的安慰剂，其外观与第一组拿到的药物类似，但不含活性成分。 | 
