Impact of Exercise on Cognition in Aging Adults
Research Overview
Exercise has long been associated with numerous health benefits, including the reduction of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, while also enhancing mood and energy levels. Recent studies have also suggested that exercise may play a role in improving cognitive function or preventing cognitive decline in older adults. A team of geriatric medicine researchers from Pamplona, Spain, aimed to investigate the effects of various exercise types on the aging brain.
Study Findings
In a recent article published in Ageing Research Reviews, researchers led by López Sáez de Asteasu reviewed 21 relevant publications to assess the cognitive effects of four distinct types of exercise: stretching and toning, aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, and multicomponent exercise. Their findings reveal interesting insights.
Stretching and Toning
Stretching and toning exercises, such as yoga, received an “honorable mention.” However, they were found to be the least effective in enhancing both memory and executive brain function. While these exercises may improve physical appearance, they do not offer significant protection against cognitive aging.
Aerobic Exercise
Aerobic exercise ranked third in terms of cognitive benefits. While it did not outperform resistance or multicomponent exercise, it showed slight advantages over stretching and toning in attention and demonstrated some benefits in executive function compared to inactive individuals in one trial. Nevertheless, these results were inconsistent across various studies.
Resistance Exercise
Resistance exercises, including weight lifting, secured the second position. When performed at moderate intensity and progressively, these exercises exhibited positive effects on cognitive functioning, particularly in memory and executive function, surpassing both aerobic and stretching/toning exercises.
Multicomponent Exercise
The clear “winner” among the four exercise types was multicomponent exercise. This approach combines elements of resistance training and aerobic exercise with additional activities such as balance and agility training. Randomized controlled trials indicated significant improvements in executive task attention, verbal fluency, and overall cognitive functioning for participants engaged in multicomponent exercise.
Conclusion
The findings suggest that variety is essential when it comes to exercise. Multicomponent exercise demonstrates that a diverse approach not only enhances physical fitness but also contributes to cognitive health, reinforcing the idea that mixing exercise routines can be beneficial for aging individuals.
Author Information
Written by: Allison Pitman Sevillano, MS, PT, DPT