A new framework about exercise, functionality and health: Brain Functional Training

Physical exercise is widely recognized for enhancing the ability to perform daily tasks. However, most studies focus primarily on physical capacities, often overlooking the contribution of cognitive processes. This article aims to present a theoretical framework underlying the concepts used in applying complexity as a dose variable to improve functionality within the health context, with a particular focus on cognitive aspects, as widely employed in Brain Functional Training. Manipulating task complexity increases planning demands, thereby inducing cognitive load, and through repeated exposure, drives chronic functional adaptations relevant to health. The primary mechanism underlying this hypothesis is the increased activity in neural regions associated with planning, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which is acutely engaged during tasks. By applying cognitive stimuli that engage executive functions or motor stimuli that promote movement variability, this approach provides an alternative framework to traditional Functional Training. Brain Functional Training can be particularly useful in contexts where adjustments in training volume or intensity are limited, supporting the planning and execution of movements of daily living while potentially enhancing both motor and cognitive aspects of functional performance.