Physical Activity and the Volume of Different Brain Regions and Structures in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Sara Oliveira Dias de Lucena, Fabricio Eduardo Rossi, Fernanda Pereira Lemos Barbosa, Marianne Penachini da Costa de Rezende Barbosa, André Luis Lacerda Bachi, Jose Claudio Jambassi Filho, Lucas Melo Neves

Santo Amaro University, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. · pubmed

Paper

Abstract

The aging process is accompanied by a decline in brain volume, which represents a significant risk factor for the onset of dementia in older adults. Evidence demonstrates that physical activity (PA) can help prevent and attenuate this reduction in brain volume. However, there is no consensus in the scientific literature regarding which specific brain regions and structures are most affected by PA. This systematic review aimed to summarize observational cross-sectional studies examining the association between PA and brain volume in healthy older adults, and to highlight the regions and structures most consistently impacted.

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Research summary

Physical activity is associated with the preservation of brain volume in older adults. The paper is relevant as it addresses the impact of physical activity on brain health, which is crucial for understanding and potentially mitigating age-related cognitive decline.

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