How Exercise Influences Cognitive Performance When Mild Cognitive Impairment Exists: A Literature Review

Older adults who present with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have an increased risk of developing more advanced dementia. However, no pharmacological treatment currently exists to slow the progression of or reverse MCI. The purpose of the current systematic review is to summarize evidence surrounding the impact of exercise interventions on the cognitive performance levels of community-dwelling older adults with MCI. Computerized database and ancestry search strategies located distinct intervention trials between 1990 and 2015. Results indicated that physical exercise may benefit cognitive function among older adults who have MCI, including improvements in global cognition, executive function, memory, attention, and processing speed. Physical exercise may also positively impact the physiology of the aging brain. However, evidence surrounding the characteristics of effective physical exercise interventions in terms of exercise type, intensity, duration, and frequency remains limited.