Physical activity can improve cognitive function at all ages

Practicing any type of physical activity—regardless of intensity, age, or health condition—helps improve cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and reasoning. This is the conclusion of a comprehensive review of studies conducted by researchers at the University of South Australia and recently published in the British Medical Journal .

The authors reviewed 133 studies, involving more than 200,000 participants, that evaluated how different types and intensities of exercise impact functions such as memory and attention. The results demonstrate benefits even with low- to moderate-intensity activities, which can appear within one to three months.

Exercises such as yoga and tai chi chuan had the greatest impact on memory, and even so-called exergames —video games that combine physical activity with digital entertainment—showed benefits. Researchers believe physical activity can also help combat cognitive decline.

"This relationship between exercise and improved cognition has already been highlighted by several previous studies, but the new article reinforces this evidence in a very solid way," says physical education professional Brendo Faria Martins, an exercise physiology specialist at Espaço Einstein Esporte e Reabilitação, at Einstein Hospital Israelita.

In children and adolescents, an active routine was also associated with memory gains. In people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), improved focus and reduced impulsivity were observed.

According to Faria, these benefits can be explained by a combination of physiological and cognitive factors. "From a physiological perspective, exercise stimulates the release of substances such as BDNF [ Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, a protein that plays a crucial role in the growth, development, and maintenance of neurons ], which promote neuroplasticity, the growth of new connections between neurons, and increased cerebral vascularization," he says.

Cognitively, many modalities, such as tai chi and exergames , require attention, decision-making, movement memorization, and motor coordination. This cognitive demand during practice appears to enhance the effects of exercise on the brain, contributing to more consistent improvements. "In other words, it's not just the body that's active—the brain is also stimulated during these types of activities," summarizes the Einstein professional.

Source: Einstein Agency

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