Effects of physical exercise on working memory in older adults: a systematic and meta-analytic review

Cai, Zhidong; Wang, Xing; Yin, Jilin; Song, Dehai; Chen, Zhitong

doi:10.1186/s11556-021-00272-y

Cited by 28 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 87 publications

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“…6). Some common specifications in the reviewed meta-analyses such as not dealing with withinstudy dependence using univariate models (9 7,8,12,17,25,28,29,31,32 out of 24), not correcting for publication bias (14 7,8,12,13,16-18,21-24,26,27,30 out of 24) or doing so with a trim-and-fill method (2 9,32 out of 24), which are not recommended in meta-analytic practice, led to higher effects and more likely to be significant.…”

Section: Influential Variables and Publication Biasmentioning

confidence: 99%

An umbrella review of randomized control trials on the effects of physical exercise on cognition

Ciria

Román-Caballero

Vadillo

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Many meta-analytic reviews have examined the cognitive benefits of regular physical exercise across the lifespan, with a wide range of inclusion criteria and disparate analytic approaches. In fact, most global health organizations incorporate the purported cognitive benefits as part of their policies to promote regular physical exercise. We assess whether those claims are well supported by scientific evidence. We conducted a pre-registered (PROSPERO: CRD42020191357) umbrella review of meta-analyses limited to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on exercise-cognition. Outcomes of each meta-analysis were reanalyzed following a multilevel model approach. Publication bias was also analyzed to correct final effect sizes. Most of the 12 reviewed meta-analyses reported a positive small effect (d = 0.21, [0.07 0.40]) of physical exercise across all cognitive domains in all life stages. However, a critical assessment of the primary studies included in these reviews and the meta-analytic approaches used indicates that the evidence might not be reliable and therefore no strong conclusions should be drawn based on the existing evidence. We found that the literature has undergone an unusually rapid growth upon underpowered RCTs and potentially biased meta-analytic reviews. The exponential accumulation of low-quality evidence on the exercise-cognition topic has led to stagnation in the field, hindering the discernment of the potential impact of exercise on cognition. We urge worldwide organizations committed to public health to reconsider their recommendations on the promotion of regular physical exercise to boost cognitive functions in the healthy population until high-quality empirical evidence confirms these exercise-induced cognitive benefits.

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Section: Influential Variables and Publication Biasmentioning

confidence: 99%

An umbrella review of randomized control trials on the effects of physical exercise on cognition

Ciria

Román-Caballero

Vadillo

et al. 2022

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Previous systematic reviews focused on aerobic-based or coordination-based exercise interventions and their effect in older adults’ executive function [ 39 , 43 , 44 ]. However, given the potential of sport-based exercise interventions in older adults’ executive function and the considerable literature currently available on the topic, our systematic review aims to clarify the effects of sport-based exercise programs on the executive function of older adults.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The types of exercise typically employed in chronic intervention programs among the elderly include aerobics, resistance training, mind–body exercise, and multimodal exercise (combining aerobic exercise and resistance training, among others), which have been followed up by systematic reviews and meta-analyses that investigated the specific effects of these modalities on executive functions [ 40 , 43 , 44 ]. In this regard, Zhidong et al [ 43 ] proved that the type of exercise can act as a moderator on the effect found on executive functions among older people. Xiong et al [ 44 ] reported that >13 weeks of aerobic exercise significantly improves working memory performance and cognitive flexibility in cognitively healthy older adults, whereas interventions of >26 weeks, significantly improved inhibition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Training programs using mind–body exercises have revealed the presence of significant positive effects on working memory performance and cognitive flexibility, which have been observed to increase when there is a higher frequency of group practice and additional practice at home (more or equal to five times a week) [ 40 , 44 ]. However, some limitations from previous reviews and meta-analyses have been proclaimed, which should be considered in future research, such as the search limitation (in terms of the year of publication of the studies included, or the language), and the consideration of a limited number of measures for the main dimensions of the executive functions (working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility), which can generate a potential bias in the results obtained [ 39 , 43 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Sport-Based Interventions on Executive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol

et al. 2022

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Background: Moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise programs have proven to exert positive effects on the cognitive performance of older people. However, the specific effects sport-based exercise programs have on cognitive performance, upon executive functions, remain unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of sport-based exercise programs on executive functions in older adults, through a systematic review protocol of the scientific literature, with a meta-analysis. Methods: The search was performed in the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO electronic databases by combining keywords and different medical subject headings (MeSH) to identify and evaluate the relevant studies from inception up until June 2022. This study considers longitudinal studies with at least one experimental group and pre- and post-intervention measurements involving healthy older adults of 60 years of age or older. Studies have to consider one or more measures of executive function, including dimensions of working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility, in order to meet the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this report. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used for methodological quality assessment studies. The DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was used to compute the meta-analyses and report effect sizes (ES, i.e., Hedges’ g) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and a statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. The ES values were calculated for executive function globally and for each dimension of executive function (e.g., working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility) in the experimental and control/comparator groups using the mean and standard deviation values before and after the intervention period. Conclusions: Our systematic review aims to clarify the effects of sport-based exercise programs on executive functions in older adults. The results may help practitioners and stakeholders to provide better evidence-based decisions regarding sport-based exercise program implementation for older adults, and to help them to optimize cognitive functions during the aging process. Ethical permission is not required for this study. Systematic review registration: this systematic review is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; registration number: CRD42022284788).

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“…In addition, recent meta-analyses have also indicated that EE could also benefit memory preservation in older individuals. A meta-analysis comprising of 28 studies (2156 participants) conducted by Zhidong and his team found that physical exercise could improve working memory in older individuals [ 220 ]. Aghjayan et al also conducted a meta-analysis investigating the effects of physical activities in older adults and found that aerobic exercises positively affect episodic memory as well [ 221 ].…”

Section: Behavioral Effects Of Ee and Its Potential Application In Hu...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Molecular Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Alzheimer’s Disease

2022

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Environmental enrichment (EE) is an environmental paradigm encompassing sensory, cognitive, and physical stimulation at a heightened level. Previous studies have reported the beneficial effects of EE in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus. EE improves cognitive function as well as ameliorates depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, making it a potentially effective neuroprotective strategy against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we summarize the current evidence for EE as a neuroprotective strategy as well as the potential molecular pathways that can explain the effects of EE from a biochemical perspective using animal models. The effectiveness of EE in enhancing brain activity against neurodegeneration is explored with a view to differences present in early and late life EE exposure, with its potential application in human being discussed. We discuss EE as one of the non pharmacological approaches in preventing or delaying the onset of AD for future research.

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Effects of physical exercise on working memory in older adults: a systematic and meta-analytic review

Cited by 28 publications

References 87 publications

An umbrella review of randomized control trials on the effects of physical exercise on cognition

An umbrella review of randomized control trials on the effects of physical exercise on cognition

Effects of Sport-Based Interventions on Executive Function in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol

The Molecular Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Alzheimer’s Disease

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