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The Benefits of Physical Activity on Brain Structure and Function in Healthy Aging and Age‐Related Neurological Disease
Book chapter

The Benefits of Physical Activity on Brain Structure and Function in Healthy Aging and Age‐Related Neurological Disease

Michelle W Voss
The Wiley Handbook on the Aging Mind and Brain, pp.649-661
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
04/18/2018
DOI: 10.1002/9781118772034.ch29

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Abstract

Physical activity (PA) restores aspects of brain structure and function that deteriorate with aging, including the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. PA is a prime candidate for treatment because in addition to being effective, it is also low‐cost, it can reduce or eliminate the need for costly drug treatments with negative side effects, and it is safe and accessible. This chapter first reviews basic terminology related to characterizing PA levels and physical fitness of aging individuals. This is followed by a brief review of the scientific evidence that documents the effects of PA and fitness on processes of healthy brain aging, and neurological disorders associated with increasing age such as mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. Animal models provide direct access to the cellular and molecular effects of exercise on the brain, and lead to predictions about how exercise benefits the human brain in both normal aging and age‐related neurological conditions.
healthy brain aging Parkinson's disease exercise benefits age‐related neurological disease mild cognitive impairment Alzheimer's disease brain structure physical activity

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