Effectiveness of exercise on cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease

Sandor Balsamo, Jeffrey M Willardson, Santos de Santana Frederico, Jonato Prestes, Denise Coscrato Balsamo, da Cunha Nascimento Dahan, Leopoldo Dos Santos-Neto, Otávio T Nobrega, Sandor Balsamo, Jeffrey M Willardson, Santos de Santana Frederico, Jonato Prestes, Denise Coscrato Balsamo, da Cunha Nascimento Dahan, Leopoldo Dos Santos-Neto, Otávio T Nobrega

Abstract

Physical activity has a protective effect on brain function in older people. Here, we briefly reviewed the studies and results related to the effects of exercise on cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. The main findings from the current body of literature indicate positive evidence for structured physical activity (cardiorespiratory and resistance exercise) as a promising non-pharmacological intervention for preventing cognitive decline. More studies are needed to determine the mechanisms involved in this preventative effect, including on strength, cardiorespiratory, and other types of exercise. Thus, the prevention of Alzheimer's disease may depend on healthy lifestyle habits, such as a structured physical fitness program.

Keywords: healthy lifestyle habits; memory disorders; physical activity; randomized controlled trial.

References

    1. Querfurth HW, LaFerla FM. Alzheimer’s disease. N Engl J Med. 2010;362(4):329–344.
    1. Hirtz D, Thurman DJ, Gwinn-Hardy K, Mohamed M, Chaudhuri AR, Zalutsky R. How common are the “common” neurologic disorders? Neurology. 2007;68(5):326–337.
    1. Blair SN, Kohl HW, 3rd, Barlow CE, Paffenbarger RS, Jr, Gibbons LW, Macera CA. Changes in physical fitness and all-cause mortality. A prospective study of healthy and unhealthy men. JAMA. 1995;273(14):1093–1098.
    1. Gordon NF, Kohl HW, 3rd, Pollock ML, Vaandrager H, Gibbons LW, Blair SN. Cardiovascular safety of maximal strength testing in healthy adults. Am J Cardiol. 1995;76(11):851–853.
    1. Whaley MH, Blair SN. Epidemiology of physical activity, physical fitness and coronary heart disease. J Cardiovasc Risk. 1995;2(4):289–295.
    1. Larson EB, Wang L, Bowen JD, et al. Exercise is associated with reduced risk for incident dementia among persons 65 years of age and older. Ann Intern Med. 2006;144(2):73–81.
    1. Scarmeas N, Luchsinger JA, Schupf N, et al. Physical activity, diet, and risk of Alzheimer disease. JAMA. 2009;302(6):627–637.
    1. Aggarwal NT, Wilson RS, Beck TL, Bienias JL, Bennett DA. Motor dysfunction in mild cognitive impairment and the risk of incident Alzheimer disease. Arch Neurol. 2006;63(12):1763–1769.
    1. Boyle PA, Wilson RS, Buchman AS, et al. Lower extremity motor function and disability in mild cognitive impairment. Exp Aging Res. 2007;33(3):355–371.
    1. Franssen EH, Souren LE, Torossian CL, Reisberg B. Equilibrium and limb coordination in mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer’s disease. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1999;47(4):463–469.
    1. Goldman WP, Baty JD, Buckles VD, Sahrmann S, Morris JC. Motor dysfunction in mildly demented AD individuals without extrapyramidal signs. Neurology. 1999;53(5):956–962.
    1. Pettersson AF, Olsson E, Wahlund LO. Effect of divided attention on gait in subjects with and without cognitive impairment. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2007;20(1):58–62.
    1. Eggermont LH, Gavett BE, Volkers KM, et al. Lower-extremity function in cognitively healthy aging, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2010;91(4):584–588.
    1. Venturelli M, Scarsini R, Schena F. Six-month walking program changes cognitive and ADL performance in patients with Alzheimer. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2011;26(5):381–388.
    1. Colcombe S, Kramer AF. Fitness effects on the cognitive function of older adults: a meta-analytic study. Psychol Sci. 2003;14(2):125–130.
    1. Kramer AF, Erickson KI, Colcombe SJ. Exercise, cognition, and the aging brain. J Appl Physiol. 2006;101(4):1237–1242.
    1. Burns JM, Cronk BB, Anderson HS, et al. Cardiorespiratory fitness and brain atrophy in early Alzheimer disease. Neurology. 2008;71(3):210–216.
    1. Lautenschlager NT, Cox KL, Flicker L, et al. Effect of physical activity on cognitive function in older adults at risk for Alzheimer disease: a randomized trial. JAMA. 2008;300(9):1027–1037.
    1. Baker LD, Frank LL, Foster-Schubert K, et al. Effects of aerobic exercise on mild cognitive impairment: a controlled trial. Arch Neurol. 2010;67(1):71–79.
    1. Rolland Y, Pillard F, Klapouszczak A, et al. Exercise program for nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease: a 1-year randomized, controlled trial. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2007;55(2):158–165.
    1. Hernandez SS, Coelho FG, Gobbi S, Stella F. Effects of physical activity on cognitive functions, balance and risk of falls in elderly patients with Alzheimer’s dementia. Rev Bras Fisioter. 2010;14(1:):68–74. Portuguese.
    1. Burns JM, Mayo MS, Anderson HS, Smith HJ, Donnelly JE. Cardiorespiratory fitness in early-stage Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2008;22(1):39–46.
    1. Middleton LE, Barnes DE, Lui LY, Yaffe K. Physical activity over the life course and its association with cognitive performance and impairment in old age. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2010;58(7):1322–1326.
    1. Petrella JK, Miller LS, Cress ME. Leg extensor power, cognition, and functional performance in independent and marginally dependent older adults. Age Ageing. 2004;33(4):342–348.
    1. Scherder EJ, Eggermont LH, Geuze RH, Vis J, Verkerke GJ. Quadriceps strength and executive functions in older women. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2010;89(6):458–463.
    1. Cassilhas RC, Viana VA, Grassmann V, et al. The impact of resistance exercise on the cognitive function of the elderly. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007;39(8):1401–1407.
    1. Boyle PA, Buchman AS, Wilson RS, Leurgans SE, Bennett DA. Association of muscle strength with the risk of Alzheimer disease and the rate of cognitive decline in community-dwelling older persons. Arch Neurol. 2009;66(11):1339–1344.
    1. Liu-Ambrose T, Nagamatsu LS, Graf P, Beattie BL, Ashe MC, Handy TC. Resistance training and executive functions: a 12-month randomized controlled trial. Arch Intern Med. 2010;170(2):170–178.
    1. Nagamatsu LS, Handy TC, Hsu CL, Voss M, Liu-Ambrose T. Resistance training promotes cognitive and functional brain plasticity in seniors with probable mild cognitive impairment. Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(8):666–668.
    1. Davis JC, Hsiung GY, Liu-Ambrose T. Challenges moving forward with economic evaluations of exercise intervention strategies aimed at combating cognitive impairment and dementia. Br J Sports Med. 2011;45(6):470–472.

Source: PubMed

Patrocinadores y Colaboradores

Condiciones médicas

Intervenciones de drogas

3
Suscribir