The Effect of Aerobic Exercise in Neuroplasticity, Learning, and Cognition: A Systematic Review.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review of 17 studies evaluating the effects of aerobic exercise
PubMed 38476815 · doi:10.7759/cureus.54021
What was done
This systematic review examined the association between physical activity, neuroplasticity, and cognition. The authors searched PubMed, Scopus, and the Virtual Health Library, retrieving 9,935 initial records. After applying screening filters and predefined eligibility criteria, 17 articles assessing the effects of aerobic exercise on neuroplasticity were included.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or statistical metrics. It describes qualitative findings that aerobic exercise across intensities—particularly high intensity—influences cortical excitability, induces direct cortical and structural changes, and improves cognition in diverse age groups with and without brain disease.
Why it matters
The review summarizes evidence supporting aerobic exercise as a modulator of structural and functional neuroplasticity linked to cognitive enhancement.
Limits
The abstract does not report quantitative data, effect sizes, or meta-analytic results. Specific study designs, participant sample sizes, exercise parameters, and neuroimaging or neurophysiological outcome measures of the 17 included studies are not detailed.
Cited by
- supports Vigorous aerobic physical exercise is the most empirically well-validated strategy for increasing neuroplasticity.