Exercise and cognition in elderly

Abstract

In developed countries, the population is aging. The aging process brings forth a slew of physical and mental changes. There has been a progressive deterioration in the degree of cognitive processes closely tied to the aging process, which is most commonly associated with age-related disorders such as dementia, throughout time. Physical activity and exercise have been identified as a method for promoting older health, as well as encouraging the maintenance of functional ability and acting in the prevention and control of a variety of diseases. The benefits of physical activity in the preservation or even improvement of cognitive performance in both the old without cognitive impairment and the elderly with some degree of cognitive impairment or dementia have piqued researchers' interest in recent years. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of various types of physical activity and exercise on cognitive function in elderly people with and without prior cognitive impairment, to identify potential mechanisms underlying these effects, and to make exercise prescription recommendations to improve cognitive performance.