Potential Benefits of Physical Activity in MCI and Dementia

Abstract

Physical activity improves overall health and reduces the risk of many negative health outcomes and may be effective in improving cognition, independent functioning, and psychological health in older adults. Given the evidence linking physical activity with improvements in various aspects of health and functioning, interventions exploring pathways for decreasing risk of dementia in those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and improving outcomes for those with dementia are of critical importance. The present review highlights the work examining physical activity interventions in order to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits of physical activity for individuals experiencing cognitive decline. The primary focus is on aerobic exercise as this is the main intervention in the literature. Our review supports the thesis that physical activity can promote healthy aging in terms of cognition, independent functioning, and psychological health for individuals experiencing cognitive decline. Specifically, physical activity improves cognition, especially executive functioning and memory in MCI, independent functioning in MCI and dementia, and psychological health in dementia. Given that benefits of physical activity have been observed across these domains, such interventions provide an avenue for preventing decline and/or mitigating impairment across several domains of functioning in older adults with MCI or dementia and may be recommended (and adjusted) for patients across a range of settings, including medical and mental health settings. Further implications for clinical intervention and future directions for research are discussed.

Physical Activity and Exercise in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: An Umbrella Review of Intervention and Observational Studies

“…22 Moreover, it is reported that physical activity/exercise may increase neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. 11,23 Physical activity, especially aerobic exercise, is associated with increases in brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a factor that can stimulate neuronal cell growth and maintain neurons in good status. 24 Third, using neuroimaging techniques, additional evidence for the impact of physical activity on brain function and structure is reported.…”

“…Some studies have reported that physical activity/exercise can prevent the transition from MCI to dementia and that these interventions can improve some cognitive and noncognitive outcomes in this specific population at higher risk for dementia. 11 Given the above, the aim of this umbrella review, promoted by the European Geriatric Medicine Society, is to understand the effect of physical activity/exercise on improving cognitive and noncognitive outcomes in people with MCI/dementia.…”

Relación de la actividad física con los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en ciudadanos adultos de Melilla

“…La actividad física también mejora la cognición, especialmente la memoria en deterioro cognitivo leve y la salud psicológica en la demencia (Nuzum et al, 2020). También evidencias actuales determinan que la actividad física está asociada con una disminución del riesgo de cáncer de próstata (Capece et al, 2020).…”

Aquatic Therapy in Contemporary Neurorehabilitation: An Update

“…58,59 Even in the case of dementia, exercise science has established a body of both human and animal research demonstrating a strong role for aerobic activity. [60][61][62][63][64][65] The relationship between exercise in cognitive loss prevention remains less clear, but it is reasonable to presume that exercise promotion is at the very least prudent in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. 65,66 In recent years, aquatic exercise has been promoted as a useful exercise option in both MCI and dementia.…”

“…The role of exercise in the preservation and improvement of cognitive function is becoming well‐established science however 58,59 . Even in the case of dementia, exercise science has established a body of both human and animal research demonstrating a strong role for aerobic activity 60‐65 . The relationship between exercise in cognitive loss prevention remains less clear, but it is reasonable to presume that exercise promotion is at the very least prudent in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia 65,66 .…”