Effects of physical activity on cognition and brain (original) (raw)
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Capitalizing on cortical plasticity: influence of physical activity on cognition and brain function
Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 2007
Given the aging populations in many countries throughout the world, there is an increasing interest in lifestyle factors and interventions that will enhance the cognitive vitality of older adults and reduce the risk for age-related neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we evaluate the hypothesis that physical activity and exercise might serve to protect, and also enhance, cognitive and brain function across the adult lifespan. To this end, we critically review three separate literatures that have examined the influence of physical activity and exercise on cognition, brain function and brain structure of adults, including epidemiological or prospective observational studies, randomized human clinical interventions and non-human animal studies. We suggest that this literature supports the claim that physical activity enhances cognitive and brain function, and protects against the development of neurodegenerative diseases. We discuss future directions to address currently unresolved questions, such as interactions between multiple lifestyle factors on offsetting or protecting against cognitive and neural decline, and conclude that physical activity is an inexpensive treatment that could have substantial preventative and restorative properties for cognitive and brain function.
Journal of Aging Research, 2013
Studies supporting the notion that physical activity and exercise can help alleviate the negative impact of age on the body and the mind abound. This literature review provides an overview of important findings in this fast growing research domain. Results from cross-sectional, longitudinal, and intervention studies with healthy older adults, frail patients, and persons suffering from mild cognitive impairment and dementia are reviewed and discussed. Together these finding suggest that physical exercise is a promising nonpharmaceutical intervention to prevent age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
Practical applications of physical activity for successful cognitive aging
JAAPA, 2017
As patients lose cognitive function, they lose autonomy and increasingly use fiscal, social, and medical resources. Healthcare costs for Americans older than age 65 years are three to five times higher than for the remaining population, and dementia is the third most costly disease in the United States. Interventions that promote successful aging can help patients and reduce the financial, workforce, and treatment resource burdens on the population. Because a relationship between physical activity, particularly aerobic exercise, and cognitive decline has been established, physical activity interventions may prove practical, affordable, and effective. Attention to empiric research and knowledge of evidence-based strategies for prescribing physical activity are critical for PAs to embrace.
Physical Activity, Cognition, and Brain Outcomes
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise
Purpose: Physical activity (PA) is known to improve cognitive and brain function, but debate continues regarding the consistency and magnitude of its effects, populations and cognitive domains most affected, and parameters necessary to achieve the greatest improvements (e.g., dose). Methods: In this umbrella review conducted in part for the 2018 Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Advisory Committee, we examined whether PA interventions enhance cognitive and brain outcomes across the life span, as well as in populations experiencing cognitive dysfunction (e.g., schizophrenia). Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and pooled analyses were used. We further examined whether engaging in greater amounts of PA is associated with a reduced risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia in late adulthood. Results: Moderate evidence from randomized controlled trials indicates an association between moderate-to vigorous-intensity PA and improvements in cognition, including performance on academic achievement and neuropsychological tests, such as those measuring processing speed, memory, and executive function. Strong evidence demonstrates that acute bouts of moderate-to vigorousintensity PA have transient benefits for cognition during the postrecovery period after exercise. Strong evidence demonstrates that greater amounts of PA are associated with a reduced risk of developing cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer's disease. The strength of the findings varies across the life span and in individuals with medical conditions influencing cognition. Conclusions: There is moderate-to-strong support that PA benefits cognitive functioning during early and late periods of the life span and in certain populations characterized by cognitive deficits.
Physical activity and the maintenance of cognitive function
Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2007
Experimental studies suggest that physical activity or exercise can prevent or delay the onset of age-related cognitive impairment or dementia. Several epidemiologic studies have attempted to address this issue by using widely varying definitions of physical activity as well as differing methods to assess cognitive function or dementia. Despite the variability in study design, longitudinal studies report that the risk of dementia, cognitive impairment, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer's disease is lower among persons engaging in high levels of physical activity, relative to those engaging in low levels of physical activity. There is also evidence of a dose-response relationship between physical activity and preservation of cognitive function, even though small increases in physical activity from a sedentary state can reap comparatively large incremental benefits. Reductions in the relative risk of vascular dementia associated with physical activity were weaker and more variable. Although many studies had a follow-up duration of around 5 years, at least one study has found evidence that exercise in midlife reduces the risk of dementia in late life. How interactions between physical activity and the APOE e4 allele affect the risk of cognitive impairment is inconsistent. The available epidemiologic studies support the concept that physical activity might prevent or delay the onset of cognitive decline. Whether that effect will translate into a reduction in the prevalence of dementia is unknown.
Association between physical activity and brain health in older adults
Neurobiology of Aging, 2013
In the present cross-sectional study, we examined physical activity (PA) and its possible association with cognitive skills and brain structure in 331 cognitively healthy elderly. Based on the number of self-reported light and hard activities for at least 30 minutes per week, participants were assigned to 4 groups representing different levels of PA. The cognitive skills were assessed by the Mini Mental State Examination score, a verbal fluency task, and the Trail-making test as a measure of visuospatial orientation ability. Participants also underwent a magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Multiple regression analysis revealed that greater PA was associated with a shorter time to complete the Trail-making test, and higher levels of verbal fluency. Further, the level of self-reported PA was positively correlated with brain volume, white matter, as well as a parietal lobe gray matter volume, situated bilaterally at the precuneus. These present cross-sectional results indicate that PA is a lifestyle factor that is linked to brain structure and function in late life.
Physical activity, brain, and cognition
Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 2015
In this brief review we summarize the promising effects of physical activity and fitness on brain and cognition in children and older adults. Research in children finds that higher fit and more active preadolescent children show greater hippocampal and basal ganglia volume, greater white matter integrity, elevated and more efficient patterns of brain activity, and superior cognitive performance and scholastic achievement. Higher fit and more physically active older adults show greater hippocampal, prefrontal cortex, and basal ganglia volume, greater functional brain connectivity, greater white matter integrity, more efficient brain activity, and superior executive and memory function. Despite these promising results, more randomized trials are needed to understand heterogeneity in response to physical activity, mechanisms, and translation to public policy.
The Impact of Physical Activities on Cognitive Performance among Healthy Older Individuals
Brain Sciences
The population is aging in developed countries. This aging process results in many changes, both physical and mental. Over the years, there has been a gradual decline in the level of cognitive functions closely related to the ageing process, which is most often connected with ageing diseases such as dementia. So far, pharmacological treatment has not yet been able to cure this neurological disorder. Health policies around the world seek to find alternative programs and strategies to help a healthy population prevent cognitive decline and prolong active life. One such strategy appears to be physical activity. The aim of this review is to discuss the impact of physical activity on cognitive performance among healthy older individuals. The methodology of this study is based on a systematic electronic literature search of available studies found in three databases: PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. The findings suggest that any physical activity in older age seems to have a positive im...
Accelerated trajectories of cognitive decline in older adults may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD). Physical activity has potential modifying effects on these changes that could prevent and/or delay ADRD. This review explores the hypothesis that multiple, mutually complimentary and interacting factors explain the positive association between exercise and the optimization of cognition in older adults.