Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2021, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (20): 3252-3258.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.3164

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Regulation and difference of different exercise styles on brain structure and cognitive function

Lu Yi, Deng Wenchong   

  1. Department of Physical Education, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China
  • Received:2020-04-11 Revised:2020-04-21 Accepted:2020-08-11 Online:2021-07-18 Published:2021-01-18
  • About author:Lu Yi, Master, Lecturer, Department of Physical Education, Chongqing University of Technology, Chongqing 400054, China

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Advanced cognitive functions of the brain such as cognitive flexibility, working memory and long-term memory decline gradually after the age of 20, and these aging phenomena are usually accompanied by shrinkage of brain structural regions such as caudate nucleus, cerebellar hemisphere, lateral prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Fitness exercise has been widely proven to improve cognitive function of the brain by affecting the expression of neurotransmitters in the body and delaying the atrophy of some functional areas of the brain.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between different exercise types and brain structure and function using aerobic, anaerobic and coordinated motion classification methods, reveal the benefits of fitness intervention from the perspectives of functional magnetic resonance imaging, neuroendocrine and event-related potentials, and sort out the theoretical basis system of the association between fitness and cognitive function.
METHODS: This article reviewed the effects of fitness exercise on brain structure and function by means of neuroimaging and brain waves. Web of Science, Elsevier SDOL, PubMed, Ovid Medline, CNKI and WanFang were searched for relevant literature using the keywords of “exercise, executive function, cognitive function, brain plasticity, brain-derived neurotrophic factor” in English and Chinese, respectively. Inclusion criteria were formulated according to the research needs, based on which, the literatures were finally screened.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: People with high fitness level or regular fitness exercise have larger brain regions, such as the hippocampus, prefrontal lobe and basal nucleus. The positive relationship between fitness and cognitive function associated with brain structures (hippocampal gyrus and memory, spatial memory, striatum and response inhibition ability) indirectly supports the positive effects of fitness on these three structures. Fitness exercise can improve the executive function of healthy people at different ages, children and elderly people with cognitive impairment. The above changes may be related to the increase of blood volume in brain functional areas and the increase of endocrine substances such as insulin-like growth factor 1, brain-derived neurotrophic factor. 

Key words: fitness exercise, brain structure, cognitive function, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, aerobic exercise, anaerobic exercise, neuroelectrophysiology, review

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