Aerobic Physical Exercise as a Non-medical Intervention for Brain Dysfunction: State of the Art and Beyond

Abstract

Brain disorders, including stroke, Alzheimer's disease, depression, and chronic pain, are difficult to effectively treat. These major brain disorders have high incidence and mortality rates in the general population, and seriously affect not only the patient's quality of life, but also increases the burden of social medical care. Aerobic physical exercise is considered an effective adjuvant therapy for preventing and treating major brain disorders. Although the underlying regulatory mechanisms are still unknown, systemic processes may be involved. Here, this review aimed to reveal that aerobic physical exercise improved depression and several brain functions, including cognitive functions, and provided chronic pain relief. We concluded that aerobic physical exercise helps to maintain the regulatory mechanisms of brain homeostasis through anti-inflammatory mechanisms and enhanced synaptic plasticity and inhibition of hippocampal atrophy and neuronal apoptosis. In addition, we also discussed the cross-system mechanisms of aerobic exercise in regulating imbalances in brain function, such as the “bone-brain axis.” Furthermore, our findings provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of aerobic physical exercise in the fight against brain disorders.

Overweight/Obesity-related microstructural alterations of the fimbria-fornix in the ABCD study: The role of aerobic physical activity

“…The current finding supports the previously reported evidence for the effects of aerobic physical activity on restoring white matter integrity. A number of studies have demonstrated that aerobic physical activity/exercise effectively reduces vascular and inflammatory stress [ 18 , 19 ], thereby recovering brain plasticity and myelination of the hippocampus and adjacent brain regions [ 52 ].…”

“…Aerobic physical activity is a safe and easily accessible intervention for improving brain plasticity. Previous studies showed that aerobic physical activity/exercise has a positive effect on neuroinflammation, cerebrovascular function, and neurotrophic factor levels [ 18 , 19 ]. Based on these previous findings, it is likely that dysfunctions of the hippocampus and adjacent brain pathways may have a high potential for recovery after engaging in aerobic physical activity, possibly due to their high plasticity [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…Previous studies showed that aerobic physical activity/exercise has a positive effect on neuroinflammation, cerebrovascular function, and neurotrophic factor levels [ 18 , 19 ]. Based on these previous findings, it is likely that dysfunctions of the hippocampus and adjacent brain pathways may have a high potential for recovery after engaging in aerobic physical activity, possibly due to their high plasticity [ 19 , 20 ]. However, it remains unclear the extent to which aerobic physical activity would impact white matter integrity in children with overweight/obesity.…”

Effects of a Structured Multicomponent Physical Exercise Intervention on Quality of Life and Biopsychosocial Health among Chilean Older Adults from the Community with Controlled Multimorbidity: A Pre–Post Design

“…In a recent meta-analysis that included 97 RCTs, it was identified that PE for older adults produces a moderate improvement in depression and depressive symptoms [ 57 ]. In addition, aerobic PA has been reported to increase gray-matter volume ratio and improve white-matter spatial structure in the brain, leading to greater functional connectivity in brain regions associated with major depression [ 58 ]. Thus, it is relevant to continue investigating the effects of multicomponent PE, including aerobic exercise, for the improvement of depression among older adults.…”