Physical Activity, Cognitive Function, and Brain Health: What Is the Role of Exercise Training in the Prevention of Dementia?

Abstract

The population of elderly adults in the US is growing, and the prevalence of age-related cognitive decline and dementia is expected to increase in turn. Effective and inexpensive interventions or preventive measures are necessary to attenuate the increased economic and social burden of dementia. This review will focus on the potential for physical activity and exercise training to promote brain health and improve cognitive function via neurophysiological changes. We will review pertinent animal and human research examining the effects of physical activity on cognitive function and neurophysiology. We will discuss cross-sectional and longitudinal studies addressing the relationship between neurocognitive health and cardiorespiratory fitness or habitual activity level. We will then present and discuss longitudinal investigations examining the effects of exercise training on cognitive function and neurophysiology. We will conclude by summarizing our current understanding of the relationship between physical activity and brain health, and present areas for future research given the current gaps in our understanding of this issue.

Association of Objectively Measured Physical Activity with Cognitive Function in Older Adults - The Regards Study

“…Research suggests PA is associated with greater brain volume in specific areas related to executive function and memory (e.g., hippocampus volume), 40,41 increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, 42,43 improved cerebrovascular function, and reduced vascular risk associated with hypertension, type 2 diabetes and obesity. 44 Moreover, studies suggest improved cognitive function and reduced risk of dementia may be mediated by significant changes in cardiorespiratory fitness. 45 Our study has several strengths.…”

Exercise and cognitive function in patients with end‐stage kidney disease

“…82,83 ET has a stronger impact on cognitive function and cortical thickness than it does on aerobic fitness. 63 Cognitive training (CT) 62,85,86 is another promising nonpharmacological intervention used to slow decline in executive function in otherwise healthy older adults. CT prevents age-related declines in key areas of cognitive function, particularly in executive function, including abstraction, working memory, verbal reasoning, and inhibition 33,34,87,88 by improving the neural structures that mediate executive function.…”

Physical activity and mild cognitive impairment

“…w przypadku choroby Alzheimera czy otępienia naczyniopochodnego). Efektywność obniżenia ryzyka wystąpienia MCI zależy jednak nie tylko od optymalnego doboru treningu (typu ćwiczeń, intensywności, czasu trwania), ale również od sprawności krążeniowo-oddechowej danej osoby, jej wieku, wyjściowego poziomu sprawności poznawczej, przyjmowanych leków oraz środowiska społecznego [4,33]. Według przytoczonych przez autorów badań, najbardziej obiecujące dla poprawy sprawności poznawczej u zdrowych osób powyżej 75 r.ż.…”