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Cited by 465Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchPhysical Activity and HealthCognitive Functions and Memory

Physical exercise and cognitive performance in the elderly: Current perspectives.

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Kirk-Sanchez, Neva, McGough, Ellen·2013·Clinical Interventions in Aging
DOI 10.2147/cia.s39506PMC PMC3872007
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Abstract

In an aging population with increasing incidence of dementia and cognitive impairment, strategies are needed to slow age-related decline and reduce disease-related cognitive impairment in older adults. Physical exercise that targets modifiable risk factors and neuroprotective mechanisms may reduce declines in cognitive performance attributed to the normal aging process and protect against changes related to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. In this review we summarize the role of exercise in neuroprotection and cognitive performance, and provide information related to implementation of physical exercise programs for older adults. Evidence from both animal and human studies supports the role of physical exercise in modifying metabolic, structural, and functional dimensions of the brain and preserving cognitive performance in older adults. The results of observational studies support a dose-dependent neuroprotective relationship between physical exercise and cognitive performance in older adults. Although some clinical trials of exercise interventions demonstrate positive effects of exercise on cognitive performance, other trials show minimal to no effect. Although further research is needed, physical exercise interventions aimed at improving brain health through neuroprotective mechanisms show promise for preserving cognitive performance. Exercise programs that are structured, individualized, higher intensity, longer duration, and multicomponent show promise for preserving cognitive performance in older adults.

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  • Proposed mechanisms for exercise cognitive benefits include enhanced cerebral blood flow, increased BDNF expression, reduced systemic inflammation, and improved neurovascular coupling.

    “Proposed mechanisms include enhanced cerebral blood flow, increased expression of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), reduced systemic inflammation, and improved neurovascular coupling (Kirk-Sanchez and McGough, 2014).”

    From Optimal exercise interventions for enhancing cognitive function in older adults: a network meta-analysis (2025) · cites this paper as Kirk-Sanchez and McGough, 2014

    The “Exercise and neurotrophic factors” section proposes improved cerebral blood flow, increased neurotrophic factors, and decreased systemic inflammation as mechanisms; it also discusses exercise-associated increases in BDNF. The paper does not identify improved neurovascular coupling as a mechanism, so that part of the attributed list is unsupported. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Kirk-Sanchez, N., & McGough, E.
Affiliations
  • University of Miami (US)
  • University of Washington (US)
Corresponding author
Kirk-Sanchez, Neva
ORCID
Venue
Clinical Interventions in Aging
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2013-12
Volume
9
Pages
51
ISSN
  • 1176-9092 (ISSN-L)
  • 1178-1998
DOI
10.2147/cia.s39506
PMC
PMC3872007
OpenAlex
W2030361041
Cited by
465
References
22
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 29 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 43 · 2022: 50 · 2021: 58 · 2020: 47 · 2019: 60 · 2018: 37 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 26 · 2014: 10
FWCI
2.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Clinical Interventions in Aging (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Dove Medical Press (Taylor and Francis Group) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
Keywords
physical activity, cognitive performance, older adults, neuroprotection, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, aging, exercise intervention, exercise dose-response, brain health, exercise intensity and duration, multicomponent exercise
MeSH terms
Aged, Animals, Brain, Cardiovascular Diseases, Cognition, Cognition Disorders, Dementia, Humans, Risk Factors, Exercise, Resistance Training

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