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Aerobic Exercise to Improve Cognitive Function in Older People Without Known Cognitive

Impairment

Madalyn Moore

Seton Hill University

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In 2008, research led by the Cochrane Library concluded that aerobic exercise does not

directly correlate to positive enhancements in cognitive functions in older adults. This peer-

reviewed study was supported and funded by both the National Institute for Health Research and

Cochrane Infrastructure. Cochrane Library, although a credible institution, makes it evident that

the authors of the article do not necessarily reflect those of other credible sources such as the

Department of Health. Peer reviewers updated the study’s information consistently and used the

research of other peer reviewed studies to extract any information that they had that had been

proven to be false. The main goal of the study was to hopefully conclude that cardiorespiratory

fitness “may prevent, or at least delay, the onset of neurodegenerative disorders such as

Alzheimer's disease” (Young et al., 2008).

The idea behind this study was that it has been proven that “a regular exercise program

can slow down or prevent functional decline associated with aging and improve health” (Young

et al., 2008). Young and his team wanted to push this idea further by testing whether regular

aerobic exercise benefitted older adults (>55 yr. old) cognitively as well as physically. Based on

prior usage of animal models, it was hypothesized that cognitive function would be enhanced by

increased amounts of aerobic fitness because of its associated “increases [in] oxygen extraction,

glucose utilisation and cerebral blood flow [which] meets metabolic needs of the brain and

removes waste” (Young et al., 2008). Further connections have been made between cognitive

vitality and increased physical activity. For instance, neurological growth factors “implicated in

neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, dendritic branching and neuroprotection” (Young et al., 2008) also

mediate structural changes in the body and would, therefore, also be assumed to be impacted by

an increase in physical activity. The research consisted of 754 participants 55 years or older

without any known cognitive impairments who completed twelve trials lasting between eight to
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twenty-sex weeks in duration. All trials were aimed at improving only cardiorespiratory fitness,

and there were no allowed sources of social or mental activities. The trials consisted of several

timed walking tests each one varying in distance. The cognitive function of the participants was

later tested using a neuropsychological test. Even though the increase in aerobic exercise

benefitted the participants’ cardiorespiratory fitness, there were no significant improvements in

cognitive function. Researchers, however, can assume that perhaps because the study was

conducted on “healthy older populations, it is possible that "ceiling effects" prevented detection

of cognitive improvement” (Young et al., 2008). Also, it was reported that trial results were

poorly reported and chosen methodology lacked sufficiency. Even though the study concluded

that physical activity does not correlate to improvements in cognitive function in older adults

overall, some subgroups did show slight improvements but considerations such as diet, social

network, and frequency of cognitive activities were not taken into account for these subgroups.

With more research done on the subject as well as better controlled conditions and

meticulous data collection, results may be different. All in all, however, this study concluded that

healthy adults over the age of 55 do not show improvements in cognitive abilities after

improving their cardiorespiratory fitness from continuous aerobic exercise. If continuous study

does confirm that cognitive abilities can be enhanced or managed through the use of aerobic

exercise in older adults, it could open up a new realm of possibilities in the control of

neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, promotion of aerobic exercise in general for older

adults would be beneficial to the health and well-being of those individuals even if there are no

cognitive enhancements.

References
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Young, J., Angevaren, M., Rusted, J., Tabet, N. (2008). Aerobic exercise to improve cognitive

function in older people without known cognitive impairment. Cochrane Database of

Systematic Reviews, 4(1), 1-118. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD005381.pub4