The role of exercise in improving cognitive function in aging adults

Aerobic exercise increases hippocampal volume, improving memory, as shown in a 2011 study where 1 year of aerobic training boosted hippocampal size by 2%, per Erickson et al.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) rises with exercise, enhancing memory and neuroplasticity, per a 2014 RCT showing elevated BDNF after 16 weeks of mixed exercise.

Exercise increases cerebral blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain, improving cognition, as shown in a 2020 study linking aerobic fitness to better blood flow.

Resistance training enhances attention and visuospatial processing, as shown in a 2023 meta-analysis, due to increased neurotrophic factors.

Moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking, improves cognition in 6 months, per a 2024 Harvard study, balancing effectiveness and safety for older adults.

Tai Chi enhances executive functions like planning and problem-solving, as shown in a 2024 JAMA study, due to its focus on coordination and concentration.

A 2024 Harvard study found that 6 months of aerobic exercise, like walking, improves memory and thinking, with benefits starting after moderate activity.

Exercise reduces anxiety and depression, boosting mood and cognition, as noted in a 2022 ACSM review, via endorphin release and stress reduction.

The prefrontal cortex, critical for executive functions like decision-making, shows increased activity with exercise, per a 2016 RCT using fMRI.

A 2022 study in Scientific Reports found 500 MET-minutes per week (about 150 minutes of moderate exercise) improves cognition in older adults.