The Effect of Physical Activity on Cognition - Physiological Mechanisms

Abstract

The presumption that physical activity, i.e. exercise, as an independent and separated factor influences different aspects of cognitive mechanisms is substantially supported by the literature. The investigations of the influence of physical activity on cognitive functioning have offered several mechanisms which could explain this relationship. Physiological mechanisms including increased cerebral blood flow, changes in neurotransmitter release, structural changes in central nervous system and altered arousal levels are based on physical changes that occur in the body as a consequence of the physical activity. There is evidence that physical training selectively increases angiogenesis, synaptogenesis and neurogenesis. The role of central (BDNF) and peripheral (estrogens, corticosteroids, growth hormone, IGF-1) factors in mediation of the effects of physical exercise on brain functions, has been promoted. Also, there is convergent data on molecular and cellular level, as well as on behavioral and systemic level which support the presumption that physical activity is beneficial to cognition. These data emphasizes the importance of promotion of physical activity during the life span for the prevention of contemporary (obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular) diseases and cognitive decline in humans.

High-Intensity Interval Exercise and Cerebrovascular Health: Curiosity, Cause, and Consequence

“…53,54 Radical species upregulate antioxidant enzymes 55 and increase neurotropic factors, such as BDNF, VEGF, and IGF-1. 56,57 The Janus Face of exercise-induced oxidativenitrosative-inflammatory stress reflects a fundamental concept known as hormesis: 58 a toxicological term characterizing a biphasic dose-response encompassing a low-dose stimulation or beneficial effect and a high-dose inhibitory or toxic effect; 59 thus quantifying the impact of each exercise parameter on radical species may be a crucial step in determining the best exercise strategy for optimizing brain structure and function. Accordingly, people with higher baseline oxidative-nitrosative-inflammatory stress (e.g., older or diseased) might benefit from a different prescription of exercise with respect to this mediator of (mal) adaptation.…”

Hippocampal insulin signaling and neuroprotection mediated by physical exercise in Alzheimer´s Disease

“…However, physical exercise exerts different effects on the CNS. Several beneficial results demonstrated that physical exercise improves synaptic plasticity and cognition 13,28 , regulates the production and degradation of neurotransmitters 29,30 and increases angiogenesis 31 and neurogenesis 32 . Although the molecular mechanisms responsible for these events are not completely understood, there are strong evidences showing the exercise mediating the production and sensitivity to growth factors such as BDNF, IGF-1, IGF-2 and VEGF 1,28,32,33 .…”

Bewegungsorientierte Gesundheitsförderung an Hochschulen

“…Verantwortlich sind Zusammenhänge von körperlicher Bewegung mit der Synapsenbildung, der Ausschüttung von Vigilanz-fördernden Botenstoffen sowie die Sauerstoffversorgung des Gehirns (Gligoroska & Manchevska 2012;. Im Umkehrschluss hindert ständiges, ununterbrochenes Sitzen das Gehirn daran, optimale Leistung zu erbringen.…”