Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 24, 2026

Orienteering as a Tool for Cognitive Research: An Implementation Guide
Published on: November 29, 2024
Cardiovascular fitness and neurocognitive function in older adults: a brief review
Edward McAuley1, Arthur F Kramer, Stanley J Colcombe
1University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. emcauley@uiuc.edu
Abstract:
We provide a brief review of the extant research on the influence of cardiovascular fitness training on brain and cognition. The review includes an examination of the non-human animal literature that has reported molecular, cellular, and behavioral consequences of fitness interventions. We relate this literature to human studies of the relationship between fitness and cognition, as well as the nascent literature on fitness influences on human brain structure and function with state-of-the art neuroimaging techniques. We also consider the important topic of participant adherence in clinical exercise trials. Finally, we suggest future directions for studies of cardiovascular fitness, aging, and neurocognitive function.
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Development During Adulthood
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Aging
Cellular Clock Theory
The cellular clock theory posits that the human lifespan is closely tied to the finite capacity of cells to divide, a phenomenon governed by telomeres, which are protective caps at the ends of...
Exercise and Cardiac Output
Sustained exercise increases the muscles' oxygen demand, which can be met...
