Does running make you smarter, or do smart people run

Balikci publishes in Runner's World

Emre Balikci, lecturer in economics, recently published an article in Runner's World, a magazine and website that, according to the publication, reaches 2.8 million print readers and 5.7 million digital visitors worldwide. Titled, "Research Shows Runners Have Stronger Brain Connectivity. But Does It Mean That Running Makes You Smarter-or That Smart People Run?," the article examines the direction of causation between running and intelligence.

The idea grew out of Balikci's own observations. Originally from Turkey, he moved to the United States ten years ago and noticed how popular long-distance running was among his colleagues and students. He wondered: do smart people run, or does running make people smarter?

A runner himself, Balikci follows a Runner's World editor on LinkedIn. When the editor put out a call for readers to share their experiences, Balikci volunteered to share his perspective as a runner and academic.

Although Runner's World is not a platform where you might expect an article from an economics professor, Balikci sprinkled the story with personal and academic perspective, drawing on his own experience and interviews with Boise State colleagues, Mary Pritchard, professor of health psychology and Eric Martin, professor of sport and exercise psychology.

Balikci previously worked in journalism, and he enjoyed writing for a mainstream publication and the connections he made through the piece.

"If you write something it leads you to meet other people from other areas of expertise," he said. "The article and the story of writing it made me learn and grow as a runner."

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