Just like how different exercise routines target different muscle groups, different types of exercise may have distinct effects on our brain. A recent study investigated the influence of Tai Chi and walking on the microstructure of white matter in late midlife adults. White matter is like the wiring system of our brain, allowing different regions to communicate with each other. The researchers used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to measure fractional anisotropy (FA), which reflects the integrity of white matter microstructure. They compared three groups: Tai Chi practitioners, walkers, and individuals who were sedentary. The results showed that both Tai Chi and walking led to higher FA values in specific white matter regions compared to the sedentary group. These differences were associated with better physical fitness measurements. In other words, engaging in regular exercise, regardless of the type, can enhance the connectivity and integrity of white matter in our brains.

Higher aerobic fitness during late midlife is associated with higher white matter (WM) microstructure. Compared with individuals engaged in irregular exercise, those who engage in regular aerobic exercise show higher fractional anisotropy (FA), a diffusion tenor imaging (DTI) measure that provides an index of WM microstructural integrity. However, whether other types of exercise, such as Tai Chi, can also facilitate WM changes in adults during late midlife remains unknown. The present study compares two types of exercise, Tai Chi and walking, with a sedentary control group, in order to examine the effects of exercise on WM microstructure and determine the regional specificity of WM differences. Thirty-six healthy adults between the ages of 55 and 65 years participated in the study. Based on the participants’ exercise habits, they were allocated into three groups: Tai Chi, walking, or sedentary control. All participants were required to complete physical fitness measurements and completed magnetic reasoning imaging (MRI) scans. Our results revealed that the Tai Chi group exhibited a higher FA value in the left cerebral peduncle, compared to the sedentary control group. We also observed that both the Tai Chi and walking groups exhibited higher FA values in the right uncinate fasciculus and the left external capsule, in comparison to the sedentary control group. Increased FA values in these regions was positively correlated with higher levels of physical fitness measurements (i.e., peak oxygen uptake [VO2peak], muscular endurance/number of push-up, agility, power). These findings collectively suggest that regular exercise is associated with improved WM microstructural integrity, regardless of the exercise type, which could guide the development and application of future prevention and intervention strategies designed to address age-related cognitive impairments during late midlife.

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