2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (29): 4716-4722

Aerobic exercise improves the cognitive function of elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment

Yang Yi1, Wang Kun1, Liu Hengxu1, Zhang Tingran1, Lu Wenyun2, Chen Peijie3, Luo Jiong1   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Considering the current growing trend of the population base of the elderly, extensive attention has been paid to the living standards and quality of life of the elderly.
OBJECTIVE: To introduce the effects of aerobic exercise on the cognitive abilities of elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment, and to explore the effects of different cycles of aerobic exercise on the cognitive abilities of elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment and the possible mechanisms.
METHODS: Elsevier, Springer, Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, WanFang, VIP, and Taiwan academic literature database were searched for relevant articles published before September 2021. The search terms included “mild cognitive impairment in the elderly, aerobic exercise, the elderly, cognitive ability, cognitive decline, acute aerobic exercise” in English and Chinese. Appropriate criteria were established as per the research needs, by which all the retrieved articles were screened.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Aerobic exercise plays a positive role in intervening the cognitive function of elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment. Acute aerobic exercise increases the level of brain-derived nerve growth factor, while short- and mid-to-long-term aerobic exercises improve physical fitness, increase cerebral blood flow, enhance cognitive and coordination abilities in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment, all of which help improve the health and quality of life of the elderly. Acute aerobic exercises improve patient’s attention and inhibition control, and short-term and mid-to-long-term aerobic exercises positively act on memory function and neural network. There are certain differences in the benefits of aerobic exercise in different periods on patient’s cognitive function. Overall, persistent aerobic exercises can improve the cognitive function of elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment, improve their cardiorespiratory fitness, and increase exercise participation. However, different aerobic exercise prescriptions are required for the improvement of specific cognitive areas. There is a dynamic variable process between aerobic exercise and mild cognitive impairment. Individual aerobic exercise prescriptions are necessary for patients with different types of cognitive impairment, such as single- and multi-domain mild cognitive impairment. Aerobic exercises can improve patient’s cognitive function, which may be related to delaying brain atrophy, promoting gene expression, and increasing cerebral blood flow, but there is no mechanism that is commonly accepted.
Key words: mild cognitive impairment, aerobic exercise, the elderly, cognitive function, acute aerobic exercise, brain-derived , neurotrophic , factor, memory function, review