Neuroplasticity. How regular physical activity influences the brain’s structure and function
Introduction: Physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cognitive decline. Exercise supports brain health and cognitive function, with potential benefits for neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to re...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/56026 |
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| author | Julia Dołęga Łukasz, Stanisław Papież Piotr Mól Tomasz Maciejczyk Antoni Sieńko Małgorzata Łabuś Bartłomiej Zabawa Patrycja Hudzińska Karol Krzykawski Jakub Sadowski |
| author_facet | Julia Dołęga Łukasz, Stanisław Papież Piotr Mól Tomasz Maciejczyk Antoni Sieńko Małgorzata Łabuś Bartłomiej Zabawa Patrycja Hudzińska Karol Krzykawski Jakub Sadowski |
| author_sort | Julia Dołęga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction: Physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cognitive decline. Exercise supports brain health and cognitive function, with potential benefits for neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize in response to demands and injury.
Materials and methods: A literature review was conducted using Pubmed and Google Scholar database with following search terms: “physical activity”, “neurogenesis”, “BDNF”, “neuroplasticity” and “cognitive function”.
State of knowledge: Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections in response to learning or injury, is supported at the molecular level by various factors (e.g. BDNF or VEGF). Aerobic and resistance exercises have been linked to increased gray and white matter volumes, especially in regions critical to memory and executive function. These effects are valuable in preventing cognitive decline and improving mental health. Current research has also shown that the impact of exercise on neuroplasticity can be augmented through consistent, high-intensity activity, which supports neuroplasticity through hormone modulation. Furthermore, emerging technologies like neuroimaging have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms underlying exercise-induced brain adaptation, which holds promise for personalized interventions.
Conclusions: This review focuses on the preventive and therapeutic potential of physical activity for neurological health, highlighting the need for continued research into how different forms of physical activity can influence neuroplasticity.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a1b92f22e460487cb56b95db273d9f81 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-a1b92f22e460487cb56b95db273d9f812025-08-20T02:23:05ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182024-11-013410.12775/QS.2024.34.56026Neuroplasticity. How regular physical activity influences the brain’s structure and functionJulia Dołęga0Łukasz, Stanisław Papież1Piotr Mól2Tomasz Maciejczyk3Antoni Sieńko4Małgorzata Łabuś5Bartłomiej Zabawa6Patrycja Hudzińska7Karol Krzykawski8Jakub Sadowski9Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of SilesiaFaculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of SilesiaSP ZOZ MSWiA w Katowicach im. Sierżanta Grzegorza Załogi: 40-042 Katowice, ul. Wita Stwosza 39-41Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of SilesiaFaculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of SilesiaFaculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of SilesiaFaculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of SilesiaFaculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of SilesiaFaculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of SilesiaFaculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia Introduction: Physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cognitive decline. Exercise supports brain health and cognitive function, with potential benefits for neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize in response to demands and injury. Materials and methods: A literature review was conducted using Pubmed and Google Scholar database with following search terms: “physical activity”, “neurogenesis”, “BDNF”, “neuroplasticity” and “cognitive function”. State of knowledge: Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections in response to learning or injury, is supported at the molecular level by various factors (e.g. BDNF or VEGF). Aerobic and resistance exercises have been linked to increased gray and white matter volumes, especially in regions critical to memory and executive function. These effects are valuable in preventing cognitive decline and improving mental health. Current research has also shown that the impact of exercise on neuroplasticity can be augmented through consistent, high-intensity activity, which supports neuroplasticity through hormone modulation. Furthermore, emerging technologies like neuroimaging have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms underlying exercise-induced brain adaptation, which holds promise for personalized interventions. Conclusions: This review focuses on the preventive and therapeutic potential of physical activity for neurological health, highlighting the need for continued research into how different forms of physical activity can influence neuroplasticity. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/56026neuroplasticitycognitive functionsmental healthphysical activity |
| spellingShingle | Julia Dołęga Łukasz, Stanisław Papież Piotr Mól Tomasz Maciejczyk Antoni Sieńko Małgorzata Łabuś Bartłomiej Zabawa Patrycja Hudzińska Karol Krzykawski Jakub Sadowski Neuroplasticity. How regular physical activity influences the brain’s structure and function Quality in Sport neuroplasticity cognitive functions mental health physical activity |
| title | Neuroplasticity. How regular physical activity influences the brain’s structure and function |
| title_full | Neuroplasticity. How regular physical activity influences the brain’s structure and function |
| title_fullStr | Neuroplasticity. How regular physical activity influences the brain’s structure and function |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neuroplasticity. How regular physical activity influences the brain’s structure and function |
| title_short | Neuroplasticity. How regular physical activity influences the brain’s structure and function |
| title_sort | neuroplasticity how regular physical activity influences the brain s structure and function |
| topic | neuroplasticity cognitive functions mental health physical activity |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/56026 |
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