TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of exercise on the cognitive functioning of healthy older adults
T2 - A systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - Kelly, Michelle E.
AU - Loughrey, David
AU - Lawlor, Brian A.
AU - Robertson, Ian H.
AU - Walsh, Cathal
AU - Brennan, Sabina
N1 - Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
PY - 2014/7
Y1 - 2014/7
N2 - Data from epidemiological, cross-sectional, and neuroimaging research show a relationship between higher levels of exercise and reduced risk of cognitive decline but evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is less consistent. This review examines the impact of aerobic exercise, resistance training, and Tai Chi on the cognitive function of older adults without known cognitive impairment. We investigate explanations for inconsistent results across trials and discrepancies between evidence from RCTs and other research data. Twenty-five RCTs were included in the review. Meta-analysis results revealed significant improvements for resistance training compared to stretching/toning on measures of reasoning (p<. 0.005); and for Tai Chi compared to 'no exercise' controls on measures of attention (p<. 0.001) and processing speed (p<. 0.00001). There were no significant differences between exercise and controls on any of the remaining 26 comparisons. Results should be interpreted with caution however as differences in participant profiles, study design, exercise programmes, adherence rates, and outcome measures contribute to both discrepancies within the exercise research literature and inconsistent results across trials.
AB - Data from epidemiological, cross-sectional, and neuroimaging research show a relationship between higher levels of exercise and reduced risk of cognitive decline but evidence from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is less consistent. This review examines the impact of aerobic exercise, resistance training, and Tai Chi on the cognitive function of older adults without known cognitive impairment. We investigate explanations for inconsistent results across trials and discrepancies between evidence from RCTs and other research data. Twenty-five RCTs were included in the review. Meta-analysis results revealed significant improvements for resistance training compared to stretching/toning on measures of reasoning (p<. 0.005); and for Tai Chi compared to 'no exercise' controls on measures of attention (p<. 0.001) and processing speed (p<. 0.00001). There were no significant differences between exercise and controls on any of the remaining 26 comparisons. Results should be interpreted with caution however as differences in participant profiles, study design, exercise programmes, adherence rates, and outcome measures contribute to both discrepancies within the exercise research literature and inconsistent results across trials.
KW - Cognitive functioning
KW - Exercise
KW - Healthy older adults
KW - Meta-analysis
KW - Physical activity
KW - Systematic review
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84901823628&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.arr.2014.05.002
DO - 10.1016/j.arr.2014.05.002
M3 - Review article
C2 - 24862109
AN - SCOPUS:84901823628
SN - 1568-1637
VL - 16
SP - 12
EP - 31
JO - Ageing Research Reviews
JF - Ageing Research Reviews
IS - 1
ER -