Physical Exercise as Personalized Medicine for Dementia Prevention?

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Exercise Physiology
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Observational studies link lifestyle factors, like physical activity, to reduced dementia risk.
• Exercise is known to induce neuroplasticity, a key mechanism for brain health.
• Intervention studies show significant variability in exercise's effects on physiological and brain outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the heterogeneity in individual responses to physical exercise.
• To propose a personalized approach to exercise prescription for maximizing neuroplastic and dementia-preventive benefits.

Main Methods:

• Review of observational and intervention studies on physical activity and brain health.
• Analysis of interindividual variability in response to exercise interventions.
• Synthesis of findings to inform tailored exercise recommendations.

Main Results:

• Physical exercise can induce neuroplastic changes in the brain.
• Significant interindividual variability exists in response to exercise, categorizing individuals as 'responders' or 'non-responders'.
• Physiological outcomes like VO2 peak also show heterogeneous responses to exercise.

Conclusions:

• A 'one size fits all' approach to exercise is insufficient for maximizing benefits.
• Tailoring exercise programs to individual performance levels, including type, intensity, duration, and volume, is crucial.
• Personalized exercise strategies are recommended to enhance neuroplasticity and achieve preventive effects against dementia.