2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (33): 5400-5406

Skeletal muscle function and exercise regulating cognitive function of the older adults

Xiao Youding1, Gao Qianjin2, Wang Erli3   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The cognitive functions such as the speed of processing problems, memory and thinking imagination of the brain tend to decline with age, but many life factors can positively affect cognitive function, such as education, social activities, and regular exercise. Exercise can affect brain health through a variety of mechanisms, in which the functional changes of skeletal muscle may play an important role.  
OBJECTIVE: To review the mechanism of skeletal muscle in exercise regulating brain health, in order to provide reference and new ideas for the prevention of Alzheimer´s disease and the maintenance of brain health.
METHODS:   On PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases, “skeletal muscle, exercise, brain health, cognitive function, myokine” were searched as the search terms, and the relevant articles in recent years were reviewed through literature summary.  
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Sendentary hypoactivity and sarcopenia reduce muscle function, and the decrease of skeletal muscle function reduces cognitive function in the elderly. Resistance training and aerobic exercise enhance skeletal muscle function, which improves the cognitive function of the elderly. There was a positive correlation between skeletal muscle function and cognitive function in the elderly. Exercise can also enhance the endocrine function of skeletal muscle and secrete a variety of myokine. Myocytokines improve brain health and cognitive function by regulating muscle-brain interaction. Therefore, the change of skeletal muscle function is an important way for exercise to regulate brain health, and there is a direct cross-talk between muscle and brain.
Key words: skeletal muscle, exercise, brain health, cognitive function, myokine, review