Cognitive Declines: Protection by Physical Activity

This chapter provides an overview of research elucidating the relationship between physical activity and cognitive function in ageing populations and provides evidence from a number of different perspectives, including evidence relating to relevant experimental designs, exercise manipulations, sample characteristics, and mechanisms. Cognitive function refers to an individual’s intellectual ability to perceive, recognize, and understand thoughts and ideas. Increasing evidence indicates that cognitive function declines with advancing age. Older adults commonly experience cognitive decline in several areas, with these declines being considered common characteristics of ageing. Regular physical activity has been widely promoted as a strategy for reducing the risk of cognitive decline in older populations.