The Relationship between Physical Fitness and Cognitive Functions in Older People: A Systematic Review

Tinôco, Maria Antonieta; Nascimento, Marcelo de Maio; Marques, Adilson; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Miguel, Salvador; Santos, F.; Ihle, Andreas · 2023 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.3390/su152316314

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Summary

This systematic review investigates the relationship between physical fitness (PF) programs and cognitive functions (CF) in healthy older adults. Motivated by the association between aging, cognitive decline, and increased vulnerability, the study aims to clarify which PF interventions effectively mitigate cognitive deterioration. While previous research suggests that physical activity promotes neuroplasticity and brain-derived neurotrophic factor release, inconsistencies remain regarding the optimal type, frequency, and duration of exercise required to benefit specific cognitive domains. The authors sought to summarize current evidence to guide future interventions and policies for healthy aging. The study adhered to PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. Researchers conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for peer-reviewed observational and experimental studies published between February 2017 and March 2023. Inclusion criteria specified healthy adults aged 60 and older without associated diseases, focusing on PF programs and cognitive outcomes. From an initial pool of 1,922 identified studies, 38 met the inclusion criteria after screening for duplicates and eligibility. Data extraction involved analyzing sample characteristics, intervention protocols (type, frequency, duration), cognitive assessment instruments, and primary results. The findings demonstrate that physical fitness programs positively impact cognitive function in older adults. The most frequently examined cognitive domains were executive function, memory, and global cognition. Aerobic training was the most prevalent intervention type, followed by resistance strength training and exergames. There was significant variability in protocol characteristics; however, interventions typically lasted 3–6 months, with sessions occurring 1–4 times per week for 30–90 minutes. Specific studies highlighted improvements in verbal memory, fluency, and processing speed following aerobic and multicomponent training. For instance, some interventions combining physical exercise with cognitive training showed greater gains in global cognition and executive function compared to control groups. Conversely, certain isolated interventions, such as "Brain Gym" exercises, showed no significant differences in global cognition scores compared to controls. The review concludes that physical fitness programs are effective in improving specific cognitive domains in healthy older adults, particularly executive function and memory. The results support the use of aerobic and multicomponent training as key strategies for preserving cognitive health. These findings provide a basis for designing targeted interventions to enhance mental health in the aging population and inform the development of public health policies promoting active aging. The authors emphasize the need for standardized protocols to further optimize the neuroplastic benefits of physical exercise in later life.

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