Imagine your brain is a muscle that needs regular workouts to stay strong and flexible. Just like hitting the gym strengthens your body, exercise intervention can enhance executive function in middle-aged and elderly people. Executive function, our ability to plan, focus, and make decisions, tends to decline with age. But fear not! Research shows that exercise can help prevent this decline and improve overall cognitive health. A recent systematic review of randomized controlled trials examined the effects of exercise intervention on executive function in healthy individuals. The results were positive, demonstrating that different types of exercise intervention led to improvements in executive function. Interestingly, most studies used moderate exercise intensity and duration, along with medium frequency. It’s like finding the perfect workout routine for your brain! However, the review also revealed that follow-up was lacking in the majority of studies, suggesting a need for longer-term observations. The positive effects of exercise on executive function are thought to be linked to its impact on brain network activation and neurotransmitter synthesis. So, get moving and give your brain a workout! Check out the underlying research to learn more about how exercise can benefit your brain health.
BackgroundExecutive function will gradually decline with the increase of age, which will have a negative impact on the quality of life and general health. Exercise intervention can improve executive function and prevent its deterioration, but the evidence from randomized controlled trials is not consistent.AimTo assess the effect of exercise intervention on executive function of healthy middle-aged and elderly people, and briefly describe its mechanism.MethodsA search was conducted using PubMed, Web of science and EBSCO. The searches were limited to English articles published from January 2010 to January 2022. The information is extracted from searched articles included or excluded based on certain criteria.ResultsThe search returned 2,746 records, of which 11 articles were included in the systematic review, and 8 articles were supplemented according to the references included and related reviews. The results show that different types of exercise intervention have positive effects on the executive function of the middle-aged and elderly people. The intervention prescriptions in most studies are executed in medium to low frequency, medium intensity and medium duration, while only 11% of the studies were followed up.ConclusionsThe intervention, which was executed twice a week with 30–60 min single intervention time and over 12 weeks total duration, showed a good intervention effect. Exercise intervention is to improve executive function by affecting the activation of brain network and the synthesis of neurotransmitters.
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.