Exercise and Protection from Age-Related Cognitive Decline.

In this chapter, we review the cross-sectional evidence in healthy human subjects for physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness to offer neuroprotection and moderate cognitive decline in older age. The role of exercise training on cognition in healthy older adults and those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is also discussed, including the evidence from neuroimaging studies that document changes to brain structure and function after a period of exercise training and improved fitness. Finally, in reference to animal models, the potential neurophysiological mechanisms for physical activity and exercise to impact human brain health are highlighted.

Evidence for exercise-related plasticity in functional and structural neural network connectivity.

The number of studies investigating exercise and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF)-related changes in the functional and structural organization of brain networks continues to rise. Functional and structural connectivity are critical biomarkers for brain health and many exercise-related benefits on the brain are better represented by network dynamics. Here, we reviewed the neuroimaging literature to better understand how exercise or CRF may facilitate and maintain the efficiency and integrity of functional and structural aspects of brain networks in both younger and older adults.

Hippocampal Functional Connectivity and Memory Performance After Exercise Intervention in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background: Exercise training (ET) has neuroprotective effects in the hippocampus, a key brain region for memory that is vulnerable to age-related dysfunction.

Objective: We investigated the effects of ET on functional connectivity (FC) of the hippocampus in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and a cognitively normal (CN) control group. We also assessed whether the ET-induced changes in hippocampal FC (Δhippocampal-FC) are associated with changes in memory task performance (Δmemory performance).

Exercise Training-Related Changes in Cortical Gray Matter Diffusivity and Cognitive Function in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Healthy Older Adults.

Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) are at an elevated risk of dementia and exhibit deficits in cognition and cortical gray matter (GM) volume, thickness, and microstructure. Meanwhile, exercise training appears to preserve brain function and macrostructure may help delay or prevent the onset of dementia in individuals with MCI. Yet, our understanding of the neurophysiological effects of exercise training in individuals with MCI remains limited.

Forward-focused coping predicts better mental health outcomes in mid- to late-life during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychosocial stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may increase the risk of depression and anxiety in the general population. Individuals approaching or within older adulthood may be especially vulnerable to these psychosocial stressors and their impact on mental health outcomes. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify protective factors for older adults.

The Mental Health Benefits of Physical Activity in Older Adults Survive the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To determine the relationship between the amount and intensity of physical activity performed by older adults in North America (United States and Canada) and their depression and anxiety symptoms while currently under social distancing guidelines (SDG) for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Setting: Online survey conducted between April 9 and April 30, 2020, during the COVD-19 pandemic.