Exercise boosts brain function at all ages. This means that for both young and old, it is worth it to get out and engage in physical activity.
A large study reviewed other studies (for a total of 258,279 persons) on effects of exercise on brain functioning. They found that exercise, even light exercise, boosts brain function (specifically general cognition and executive function) and memory. Executive function refers to mental processes (executive functioning skills) that help you solve problems, make plans, set and carry out goals, and manage emotions.
The researchers concluded that most forms of exercise appear effective, including light-intensity activities, and even yoga, Tai Chi, and walking. The positive effects were found at all ages, and in all groups studied. There seemed to be an especially strong effect in persons with ADHD
From Science Daily: Exercise of any kind boosts brainpower at any age
Whether it's an early morning jog, or a touch of Tai Chi, groundbreaking research from the University of South Australia shows that any form of exercise can significantly boost brain function and memory across children, adults, and older adults.
In the largest, most comprehensive umbrella review to date, researchers found that regular exercise improves general cognition, memory, and executive function in both healthy individuals and those with clinical conditions, reinforcing exercise as an essential, inclusive activity for optimising cognitive health.
Synthesising findings from 133 systematic reviews, covering 2724 randomised controlled trials and 258,279 participants, the systematic umbrella and meta-meta-analysis found that:
- low- to moderate-intensity exercise had the greatest benefits for brain function and memory
- children and adolescents showed the greatest improvements in memory, while people with ADHD saw the biggest gains in executive function
- yoga, Tai Chi, and exergames (active video games) delivered the most significant cognitive benefits.
Lead researcher, UniSA's Dr Ben Singh, says the findings provide a comprehensive understanding of how different types, intensities, and durations of exercise influence cognitive function.
"Exercise has a profound effect on physical health, but we also know it benefits brain function. What this study confirms is that even low-intensity exercise -- like yoga or walking -- can improve cognition, making it accessible to people of all ages and abilities," Dr Singh says.
"In particular, we found that benefits were delivered quickly -- with clear gains within 1-3 months, highlighting that even small bursts of activity can make a big difference. It also signals that trying out new activities could play a key role in keeping the brain engaged and active.
"For children and teens, exercise was especially beneficial for developing memory, while for people with ADHD, it helped improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and enhance executive function.
"We also found that mind-body exercises, like Tai Chi and yoga, had the most significant impact on memory, while exergames -- such as Pokémon Go -- were highly effective for general cognition. This is an encouraging finding, as it suggests that engaging, low-impact activities can offer real cognitive benefits."