Physical Exercise and Cognitive Performance in the Elderly: Current Perspectives

Overview

Journal Clin Interv Aging

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2014 Jan 1

PMID 24379659

Citations 163

Authors

Neva J Kirk-Sanchez

Ellen L McGough

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In an aging population with increasing incidence of dementia and cognitive impairment, strategies are needed to slow age-related decline and reduce disease-related cognitive impairment in older adults. Physical exercise that targets modifiable risk factors and neuroprotective mechanisms may reduce declines in cognitive performance attributed to the normal aging process and protect against changes related to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. In this review we summarize the role of exercise in neuroprotection and cognitive performance, and provide information related to implementation of physical exercise programs for older adults. Evidence from both animal and human studies supports the role of physical exercise in modifying metabolic, structural, and functional dimensions of the brain and preserving cognitive performance in older adults. The results of observational studies support a dose-dependent neuroprotective relationship between physical exercise and cognitive performance in older adults. Although some clinical trials of exercise interventions demonstrate positive effects of exercise on cognitive performance, other trials show minimal to no effect. Although further research is needed, physical exercise interventions aimed at improving brain health through neuroprotective mechanisms show promise for preserving cognitive performance. Exercise programs that are structured, individualized, higher intensity, longer duration, and multicomponent show promise for preserving cognitive performance in older adults.

Citing Articles

Substitution of physical activity for sedentary behaviour contributes to executive function improvement among young adults: a longitudinal study.

Liu J, Wei M, Li X, Ablitip A, Zhang S, Ding H BMC Public Health. 2024; 24(1):3326.

PMID: 39614217 PMC: 11605965. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-20741-0.

Association between widowhood and cognitive function among Chinese older adults with hearing impairment: the moderating effect of social support and participation.

Wang X, Li S, Zhang Z, Cui Z, Wang Z BMC Geriatr. 2024; 24(1):764.

PMID: 39289645 PMC: 11406715. DOI: 10.1186/s12877-024-05358-7.

The effect of different exercise on physical fitness, cognition, and mental health in healthy older adults.

Xu Q, Fan Y, Zhu J, Wang X Heliyon. 2024; 10(16):e36510.

PMID: 39253255 PMC: 11382082. DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36510.

Effects of low-intensity home-based exercise on cognition in older persons with mild cognitive impairment: a direct comparison of aerobic versus resistance exercises using a randomized controlled trial design.

Krootnark K, Chaikeeree N, Saengsirisuwan V, Boonsinsukh R Front Med (Lausanne). 2024; 11:1392429.

PMID: 38975052 PMC: 11224483. DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1392429.

Adapted Home-Based Exercises in Dementia: An Exploratory Pre-post Pilot and Feasibility Study.

Carrard S, Eyer S, Hilfiker R, Mittaz Hager A Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2024; 39:15333175241263741.

PMID: 38877608 PMC: 11185665. DOI: 10.1177/15333175241263741.

References

Cassilhas R, Viana V, Grassmann V, Santos R, Santos R, Tufik S . The impact of resistance exercise on the cognitive function of the elderly. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007; 39(8):1401-7. DOI: 10.1249/mss.0b013e318060111f. View

Chan A, Ho Y, Cheung M, Albert M, Chiu H, Lam L . Association between mind-body and cardiovascular exercises and memory in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005; 53(10):1754-60. DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.53513.x. View

Jennings J, Muldoon M, Ryan C, Mintun M, Meltzer C, Townsend D . Cerebral blood flow in hypertensive patients: an initial report of reduced and compensatory blood flow responses during performance of two cognitive tasks. Hypertension. 1998; 31(6):1216-22. DOI: 10.1161/01.hyp.31.6.1216. View

Yaffe K, Lindquist K, Penninx B, Simonsick E, Pahor M, Kritchevsky S . Inflammatory markers and cognition in well-functioning African-American and white elders. Neurology. 2003; 61(1):76-80. DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000073620.42047.d7. View

Angevaren M, Vanhees L, Wendel-Vos W, Verhaar H, Aufdemkampe G, Aleman A . Intensity, but not duration, of physical activities is related to cognitive function. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2007; 14(6):825-30. DOI: 10.1097/HJR.0b013e3282ef995b. View

Plassman B, Langa K, Fisher G, Heeringa S, Weir D, Ofstedal M . Prevalence of dementia in the United States: the aging, demographics, and memory study. Neuroepidemiology. 2007; 29(1-2):125-32. PMC: 2705925. DOI: 10.1159/000109998. View

Black J, Isaacs K, Anderson B, Alcantara A, Greenough W . Learning causes synaptogenesis, whereas motor activity causes angiogenesis, in cerebellar cortex of adult rats. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1990; 87(14):5568-72. PMC: 54366. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.87.14.5568. View

van Uffelen J, Chin A Paw M, Hopman-Rock M, van Mechelen W . The effects of exercise on cognition in older adults with and without cognitive decline: a systematic review. Clin J Sport Med. 2008; 18(6):486-500. DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0b013e3181845f0b. View

Grodstein F . Cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive function. Alzheimers Dement. 2009; 3(2 Suppl):S16-22. DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2007.01.001. View

10.

Weuve J, Kang J, Manson J, Breteler M, Ware J, Grodstein F . Physical activity, including walking, and cognitive function in older women. JAMA. 2004; 292(12):1454-61. DOI: 10.1001/jama.292.12.1454. View

11.

Voss M, Erickson K, Prakash R, Chaddock L, Malkowski E, Alves H . Functional connectivity: a source of variance in the association between cardiorespiratory fitness and cognition?. Neuropsychologia. 2010; 48(5):1394-406. PMC: 3708614. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2010.01.005. View

12.

Yaffe K, Barnes D, Nevitt M, Lui L, Covinsky K . A prospective study of physical activity and cognitive decline in elderly women: women who walk. Arch Intern Med. 2001; 161(14):1703-8. DOI: 10.1001/archinte.161.14.1703. View

13.

Angevaren M, Aufdemkampe G, Verhaar H, Aleman A, Vanhees L . Physical activity and enhanced fitness to improve cognitive function in older people without known cognitive impairment. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008; (3):CD005381. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005381.pub3. View

14.

Lautenschlager N, Cox K, Flicker L, Foster J, Bockxmeer F, Xiao J . Effect of physical activity on cognitive function in older adults at risk for Alzheimer disease: a randomized trial. JAMA. 2008; 300(9):1027-37. DOI: 10.1001/jama.300.9.1027. View

15.

Heyn P, Abreu B, Ottenbacher K . The effects of exercise training on elderly persons with cognitive impairment and dementia: a meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004; 85(10):1694-704. DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2004.03.019. View

16.

Kwak Y, Um S, Son T, Kim D . Effect of regular exercise on senile dementia patients. Int J Sports Med. 2007; 29(6):471-4. DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-964853. View

17.

Colcombe S, Erickson K, Raz N, Webb A, Cohen N, McAuley E . Aerobic fitness reduces brain tissue loss in aging humans. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2003; 58(2):176-80. DOI: 10.1093/gerona/58.2.m176. View

18.

Huang G, Gibson C, Tran Z, Osness W . Controlled endurance exercise training and VO2max changes in older adults: a meta-analysis. Prev Cardiol. 2005; 8(4):217-25. DOI: 10.1111/j.0197-3118.2005.04324.x. View

19.

Abbott R, White L, Ross G, Masaki K, Curb J, Petrovitch H . Walking and dementia in physically capable elderly men. JAMA. 2004; 292(12):1447-53. DOI: 10.1001/jama.292.12.1447. View

20.

Blankevoort C, van Heuvelen M, Boersma F, Luning H, de Jong J, Scherder E . Review of effects of physical activity on strength, balance, mobility and ADL performance in elderly subjects with dementia. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2010; 30(5):392-402. DOI: 10.1159/000321357. View