Exercise interventions for cognitive function in adults older than 50: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review with multilevel meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
PubMed 28438770 · doi:10.1136/bjsports-2016-096587
What was done
Systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis searching Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, and CENTRAL through November 2016. The review included randomized controlled trials evaluating physical exercise interventions (aerobic, resistance, multicomponent, tai chi) on cognitive function outcomes in community-dwelling adults aged 50 years and older.
What was found
From 12,820 initial records, 39 studies met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of 333 dependent effect sizes across 36 studies showed that physical exercise significantly improved overall cognitive function (effect size 0.29; 95% CI 0.17 to 0.41; p < 0.01). Aerobic exercise, resistance training, multicomponent training, and tai chi all demonstrated significant positive point estimates. Sessions lasting 45–60 minutes and interventions of at least moderate intensity were associated with cognitive improvements. Benefits were consistent across different cognitive domains and regardless of participants' baseline cognitive status.
Why it matters
This review provides quantitative evidence that regular physical exercise of at least moderate intensity improves cognitive performance in older adults, supporting clinical exercise recommendations regardless of baseline cognitive impairment.
Limits
The abstract does not provide the total number of individual participants, details on adherence, adverse events, or study-level risk of bias. It also does not report whether cognitive benefits were maintained after the cessation of exercise interventions.
Cited by
- supports Meta-analyses show that various types of exercise improve cognitive function, executive function, global cognition, and memory.