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An Overview on Cognitive Function Enhancement through Physical Exercises.

Narayanasamy Sai Srinivas^1,2, Vijayaragavan Vimalan^1,2, Parasuraman Padmanabhan^2,3

¹Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Translational Neuroscience, 59 Nanyang Drive, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921, Singapore.

|October 23, 2021

Summary

Physical exercise enhances cognitive function, with different activities impacting the brain uniquely. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) offers advantages over functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for studying these effects across all ages.

Keywords:

EEG cognitive function exercise fMRI fNIRS imaging modalities physical activity

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Exercise Physiology
Cognitive Psychology

Background:

Physical activity is known to influence cognitive functions.
Various exercise types may differentially impact cognitive performance.
Neuroimaging techniques are crucial for understanding brain-behavior relationships during exercise.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the enhancement of cognitive functions across diverse physical exercises.
To compare the utility of neuroimaging modalities like fMRI, fNIRS, and EEG.
To discuss the effects of physical activity on cognitive function across the lifespan.

Main Methods:

Systematic review of studies on physical exercise and cognitive function.
Inclusion of research utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), and electroencephalography (EEG).
Analysis of cognitive performance variations based on exercise type and population demographics.

Main Results:

Significant differences in cognitive functioning are observed with varying types of physical activity.
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) presents a viable alternative to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), overcoming some of its limitations.
The impact of exercise on cognition spans from active children to older adults.

Conclusions:

The type of physical exercise significantly modulates cognitive enhancement.
fNIRS is a valuable tool for cognitive neuroscience research during physical activity.
Physical activity benefits cognitive function across all age groups, highlighting its importance for brain health throughout life.