On Aerobic Exercise and Behavioral and Neural Plasticity

Abstract

Aerobic exercise promotes rapid and profound alterations in the brain. Depending upon the pattern and duration of exercise, these changes in the brain may extend beyond traditional motor areas to regions and structures normally linked to learning, cognition, and emotion. Exercise-induced alterations may include changes in blood flow, hormone and growth factor release, receptor expression, angiogenesis, apoptosis, neurogenesis, and synaptogenesis. Together, we believe that these changes underlie elevations of mood and prompt the heightened behavioral plasticity commonly observed following adoption of a chronic exercise regimen. In the following paper, we will explore both the psychological and psychobiological literatures relating to exercise effects on brain in both human and non-human animals and will attempt to link plastic changes in these neural structures to modifications in learned behavior and emotional expression. In addition, we will explore the therapeutic potential of exercise given recent reports that aerobic exercise may serve as a neuroprotectant and can also slow cognitive decline during normal and pathological aging.

Combined Iron Deficiency and Low Aerobic Fitness Doubly Burden Academic Performance among Women Attending University

“…The literature linking acute exercise and brain function strongly supports this model, with convincing data in both animals and humans that show that exercise promotes neural plasticity via angiogenic, neurogenic, and apoptotic pathways mediated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor I, all of which are released after physical activity (37)(38)(39). The link between chronic exercise habits, as would be reflected in VO 2peak , and brain plasticity is more ambiguous, as discussed by Swain et al (40). Nonetheless, we and others (41,42) detected associations between VO 2peak and behavior in young adults, mostly in terms of executive functions.…”

Effectiveness of classic physical therapy proposals for chronic non-specific low back pain: a literature review

“…Firstly, exercise is paramount in any therapeutic target, since it provides with analgesic effects based on neuroplasticity changes on a central nervous system level 29,30) . People with pathologies who experience chronic algias are susceptible to fear of movement (kinesiophobia) as it is shown in the fear-avoidance model 31 ) , an aspect completely disregarded in the study.…”

Effects of Swimming Exercise on Limbic and Motor Cortex Neurogenesis in the Kainate-Lesion Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

“…Motor deficits in temporal lobe epilepsy are uncommonly reported and the effects of kainate-induced seizures on motor cortex have not been systematically studied. Aerobic exercise is a treatment for inhibiting neuronal apoptosis associated with aging and maintaining neuronal populations and brain volume [ 8 , 9 ]; however, whether delays in initiating aerobic exercise decrease its potential for efficacious neurogenesis following seizures is not known. Aerobic exercise augments neurogenesis in both humans and rats [ 10 ] but humans affected by temporal lobe epilepsy are often unable to maintain vigorous exercise regimens, without breaks, over the long term.…”