Aerobic Exercise and Neurocognitive Performance: A Meta-Analytic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Objectives:To assess the effects of aerobic exercise training on neurocognitive performance. Although the effects of exercise on neurocognition have been the subject of several previous reviews and meta-analyses, they have been hampered by methodological shortcomings and are now outdated as a result of the recent publication of several large-scale, randomized, controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review of RCTs examining the association between aerobic exercise training on neurocognitive performance between January 1966 and July 2009. Suitable studies were selected for inclusion according to the following criteria: randomized treatment allocation; mean age Ն18 years of age; duration of treatment Ͼ1 month; incorporated aerobic exercise components; supervised exercise training; the presence of a nonaerobic-exercise control group; and sufficient information to derive effect size data. Results: Twenty-nine studies met inclusion criteria and were included in our analyses, representing data from 2049 participants and 234 effect sizes. Individuals randomly assigned to receive aerobic exercise training demonstrated modest improvements in attention and processing speed (g ϭ 0.158; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 0.055-0.260; p ϭ .003), executive function (g ϭ 0.123; 95% CI, 0.021-0.225; p ϭ .018), and memory (g ϭ 0.128; 95% CI, 0.015-0.241; p ϭ .026). Conclusions: Aerobic exercise training is associated with modest improvements in attention and processing speed, executive function, and memory, although the effects of exercise on working memory are less consistent. Rigorous RCTs are needed with larger samples, appropriate controls, and longer follow-up periods.

A Longitudinal Analysis of the Impact of Physical Activity on Neurocognitive Functioning Among HIV-Infected Adults

“…Studies have shown that aerobic PA can improve body composition, reduce waist circumference and weight, and improve lipid levels in those with HIV infection [52], which are risk factors for NCI in HIV-infected adults [53]. The cognitive domains of speed of information processing and executive function are linked to metabolic and cerebrovascular disease [20], both of which are also risk factors for neurodegeneration and cognitive decline [54]. Many of the cognitive domains for which we found an association with consistent PA are mediated by frontal and subcortical brain systems that are commonly affected in HIV and by cerebrovascular disease [55,56].…”

“…Epidemiological studies have indicated that midlife PA is associated with a lower risk of neurocognitive decline and dementia later in life [13,14]. Moreover, PA intervention trials have consistently shown improved cognitive function in older HIV-uninfected adults who participate in aerobic activity as compared to control groups [10,[15][16][17][18][19][20]. Although the mechanisms by which PA affects neurocognition are not yet completely elucidated, research has suggested direct effects on the CNS, such as increased gray and white matter volume [10,16,18,21], changes in functional brain activity and strengthening of brain connections [22][23][24][25][26][27], and increases in cerebral perfusion [15,[28][29][30][31] and neurotrophic factors [32,33] that support angiogenesis and neuroplasticity.…”

Linking brains and brawn: exercise and the evolution of human neurobiology

“…22 years of age), both acute and long-term APA improves performance on memory tasks, suggesting enhanced hippocampal function [37]. Finally, several studies have linked APA with either improved cognitive performance (especially executive functions and spatial memory) or a reduction in cognitive decline in older populations [3,38,39].…”

Comparing the Transfer Effects of Simultaneously and Sequentially Combined Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Training in Older Adults

“…This interpretation is supported by observing group equivalence in the subjective and objective measures of physical workload taken during the training phase. Hence, the non-specific training-related improvements observed in episodic memory (Nouchi et al 2014) and processing speed (Smith et al 2010) might be more closely tied to the exercise component of the training protocol than the cognitive component. As noted previously, aerobic exercise is associated with volumetric change in the hippocampus, which is correlated with better memory performance Duzel et al 2016;Erickson et al 2011;Kramer et al 2006).…”