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On aerobic exercise and behavioral and neural plasticity
Rodney A Swain1, Kiersten L Berggren2, Abigail L Kerr3
1Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA. rswain@uwm.edu.
Brain Sciences
|June 26, 2014
Summary
Aerobic exercise significantly alters brain function, impacting mood, cognition, and behavior. These brain changes, including neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, offer therapeutic potential for aging and cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Exercise Physiology
- Behavioral Psychology
Background:
- Aerobic exercise induces significant brain alterations beyond motor control.
- These changes affect neural regions associated with learning, cognition, and emotion.
- Exercise impacts brain plasticity, mood, and behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore psychological and psychobiological literature on exercise and brain effects.
- To link neural plasticity changes to behavior and emotional expression.
- To investigate exercise's therapeutic potential in neuroprotection and cognitive aging.
Main Methods:
- Review of psychological and psychobiological research.
- Analysis of studies in human and non-human animals.
- Examination of exercise-induced changes in brain structure and function.
Main Results:
- Exercise influences brain blood flow, hormone release, and receptor expression.
- Key processes like angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and synaptogenesis are affected.
- Observed mood elevation and behavioral plasticity correlate with chronic exercise.
Conclusions:
- Exercise-induced brain alterations underlie mood and behavioral changes.
- Aerobic exercise shows potential as a neuroprotectant.
- Exercise may slow cognitive decline in normal and pathological aging.
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