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Physical activity and enhanced fitness to improve cognitive function in older people without known cognitive impairment

  1. Maaike Angevaren1,*,
  2. Geert Aufdemkampe2,
  3. HJJ Verhaar3,
  4. A Aleman4,
  5. Luc Vanhees1

Editorial Group: Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group

Published Online: 16 JUL 2008

Assessed as up-to-date: 31 JAN 2008

DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005381.pub3

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How to Cite

Angevaren M, Aufdemkampe G, Verhaar HJJ, Aleman A, Vanhees L. Physical activity and enhanced fitness to improve cognitive function in older people without known cognitive impairment. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD005381. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005381.pub3.

Author Information

  1. 1

    University of Applied Sciences, Research Group Lifestyle and Health, Utrecht, Netherlands

  2. 2

    University of Professional Education, Research Department of Health and Lifestyle, Utrecht, Netherlands

  3. 3

    University Medical Centre Utrecht, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Utrecht, Netherlands

  4. 4

    B C Neuro Imaging Centre, Groningen, Netherlands

*Maaike Angevaren, Research Group Lifestyle and Health, University of Applied Sciences, Bolognalaan 101, Utrecht, 3584 CJ, Netherlands. Maaike.angevaren@hu.nl.

Publication History

  1. Publication Status: New search for studies and content updated (conclusions changed)
  2. Published Online: 16 JUL 2008

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References

References to studies included in this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to studies awaiting assessment
  4. Additional references
Bakken 2001 {published data only}
  • Bakken RC, Carey JR, Di Fabio RP, Erlandson TJ, Hake JL, Intihar TW. Effect of aerobic exercise on tracking performance in elderly people: a pilot study. Physical Therapy 2001;81:1870-9.
Blumenthal 1989 a {published data only}
  • Blumenthal JA, Emery CF, Madden DJ, George LK, Coleman RE, Riddle MW, et al. Cardiovascular and behavioral effects of aerobic exercise training in healthy older men and women. Gerontology A: Biological Science Medical Science 1989;44:M147-57.
Blumenthal 1989 b {published data only}
  • Blumenthal JA, Emery CF, Madden DJ, George LK, Coleman RE, Riddle MW, et al. Cardiovascular and behavioral effects of aerobic exercise training in healthy older men and women. Gerontology A: Biological Science Medical Science 1989;44:M147-57.
Emery 1990 a {published data only}
Emery 1998 {published data only}
  • Emery CF, Schein RL, Hauck ER, MacIntyre NR. Psychological and cognitive outcomes of a randomized trial of exercise among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Health Psychology 1998;17:232-40.
Fabre 2002 {published data only}
  • Fabre C, Chamari K, Mucci P, Massé-Birron J, Préfaut C. Improvement of cognitive function by mental and/or individualized aerobic training in healthy elderly subjects. International Journal of Sports Medicine 2002;23:415-21.
Hassmén 1997 a {published data only}
  • Hassmén P, Koivula N. Mood, physical working capacity and cognitive performance in the elderly as related to physical activity. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research 1997;9:136-42.
Hassmén 1997 b {published data only}
  • Hassmén P, Koivula N. Mood, physical working capacity and cognitive performance in the elderly as related to physical activity. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research 1997;9:136-42.
Kramer 2001 {published data only}
  • Kramer AF, Hahn S, McAuley E, Cohen NJ, Banich MT, Harrison C, et al. Exercise, aging and cognition: Healthy body, healthy mind?. In: Fisk AD, Rogers W editor(s). Human factors interventions for the health care of older adults. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum, 2001:91-120.
Madden 1989 {published data only}
  • Madden DJ, Blumenthal JA, Allen PA, Emery CF. Improving aerobic capacity in healthy older adults does not necessarily lead to improved cognitive performance. Psychology and Aging 1989;4:307-20.
Moul 1995 {published data only}
  • Moul JL, Goldman B, Warren B. Physical activity and cognitive performance in the older population. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity 1995;3:135-45.
Panton 1990 {published data only}
  • Panton LB, graves JE, Pollock ML, Hagberg JM, Chen W. Effect of resistance training on fractionated reaction time and speed of movement. Journal of Gerontology 1990;45:M26-31.
Whitehurst 1991 {published data only}

References to studies excluded from this review

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to studies awaiting assessment
  4. Additional references
Barry 1966 {published data only}
  • Barry AJ, Steinmetz JR, Page HF, Rodahl K. The effects of physical conditioning on older individuals. II. Motor performance and cognitive function. Journal of Gerontology 1966;21:192-9.
Blumenthal 1988 {published data only}
Blumenthal 1991 {published data only}
  • Blumenthal JA, Emery CF, Madden DJ, Schniebolk S, Walsh-Riddle M, George LK, et al. Long-term effects of exercise on psychological functioning in older men and women. Journal of Gerontology B: Psychological Science and Social Science 1991;46:352-61.
Dietrich 2004 {published data only}
Dustman 1984 {published data only}
  • Dustman RE, Ruhling RO, Russell EM, Shearer DE, Bonekat HW, Shigeoka JW, et al. Aerobic exercise training and improved neuropsychological function of older individuals. Neurobiology of Aging 1984;5:35-42.
Emery 1990 b {published data only}
Emery 2003 {published data only}
  • Emery CF, Hsiao ET, Hill SM, Frid DJ. Short-term effects of exercise and music on cognitive performance among participants in a cardiac rehabilitation program. Heart & Lung 2003;32:368-73.
Etnier 1997 a {published data only}
  • Etnier JL, Landers DM. The influence of age and fitness on performance and learning. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity 1997;5:175-89.
Etnier 2001 {published data only}
Fabre 1999 {published data only}
  • Fabre C, Massé-Biron J, Chamari K, Varray A, Mucci P, Préfaut Ch. Evaluation of quality of life in elderly healthy subjects after aerobic and/or mental training. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 1998;28:9-22.
Hassmén 1992 {published data only}
  • Hassmén P, Ceci R, Bäckman L. Exercise for older women: a training method and its influences on physical and cognitive performance. European Journal of Applied Physiology 1992;64:460-6.
Hawkins 1992 {published data only}
Hill 1993 {published data only}
  • Hill RD, Storandt M, Malley M. The impact of long-term exercise training on psychological function in older adults. Journal of Gerontology 1993;48:12-7.
Kerschan 2002 {published data only}
  • Kerschan-Schindl K, Wiesinger G, Zauner-Dungl A, Kollmitzer J, Fialka-Moser, Quittan M. Step aerobic vs. cycle ergometer training: Effects on aerobic capacity, coordinative tasks, and pleasure in untrained adults - A randomized controlled trial. Wiener Klinische Wochenschrift 2002;114:992-8.
Kharti 2001 {published data only}
  • Khatri P, Blumenthal JA, Babyak MA, Craighead WE, Herman S, Baldewicz T, et al. Effects of exercise training on cognitive functioning among depressed older men and women. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity 2001;9:43-57.
Kramer 1999 {published data only}
Molloy 1988 {published data only}
  • Molloy DW, Delaquerriere Richardson L, Crilly RG. The effects of a three-month exercise programme on neuropsychological function in elderly institutionalized women: a randomized controlled trial. Age and Ageing 1988;17:303-10.
Oken 2004 {published data only}
  • Oken BS, Kishiyama S, Zajdel D, Bourdette D, Carlsen J, Haas M, et al. Randomized controlled trial of yoga and exercise in multiple sclerosis. Neurology 2004;62:2058-64.
Okumiya 1996 {published data only}
  • Okumiya K, Matsubayashi K, Wada T, Kimura S, Doi Y, Ozawa T. Effects of exercise on neurobehavioral function in community-dwelling older people more than 75 years of age. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 1996;44:569-72.
Palleschi 1996 {published data only}
  • Palleschi L, Vetta F, De Gennaro E, Idone G, Sottosanti G, Gianni W, et al. Effect of aerobic training on the cognitive performance of elderly patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer type. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 1996;5:47-50.
Perri 1984 {published data only}
  • Perri S II, Templer DI. The effects of an aerobic exercise program on psychological variables in older adults. International Journal of Aging and Human Development 1984;20:167-72.
Pierce 1993 {published data only}
Powell 1974 {published data only}
Rikli 1991 {published data only}
  • Rikli RE, Edwards DJ. Effects of a three-year exercise program on motor function and cognitive processing speed in older women. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 1991;62:61-7.
Stevenson 1990 {published data only}
  • Stevenson JS, Topp R. Effects of moderate and low intensity long-term exercise by older adults. Research in Nursing & Health 1990;13:209-18.
    Direct Link:
Wallman 2004 {published data only}
  • Wallman KE, Morton AR, Goodman C, Grove R, Guilfoyle AM. Randomised controlled trial of graded exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome. Medical Journal of Australia 2004;180:444-8.
Wilbur 2005 {published data only}
  • Wilbur J, Miller AM, McDevitt J, Wang E, Miller J. Menopausal status, moderate-intensity walking, and symptoms in midlife women. Research and Theory for Nursing Practice 2005;19:163-80.
Williams 1997 {published data only}
  • Williams P, Lord SR. Effects of group exercise on cognitive functioning and mood in older women. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 1997;21:45-52.
    Direct Link:

References to studies awaiting assessment

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to studies awaiting assessment
  4. Additional references
Bream 1996 {unpublished data only}
  • Bream JH. Interventions to aging: Immunologic and cognitive responses to 16 weeks of low-intensity exercise training in older adults. Dissertation Abstracts International 1996. [: DA9716196]
Glisky 1997 {unpublished data only}
  • Glisky ML. Interventions for cognitive and psychosocial functioning in older adults: A comparison of aerobic exercise and cognitive training. Dissertation Abstracts International 1997. [: DA9806830]
McKenzie 2000 {unpublished data only}
  • McKenzie DL. An investigation of the relationship between exercise and the cognitive function of attention in adult students with leaning disabilities and deficit disorder. Dissertation Abstracts International 2000. [: DA9972924]
Palmer 1995 {unpublished data only}
  • Palmer AC. The effects of aerobic exercise on cognitive ability and creativity in senior citizens. Dissertation Abstracts International 1995. [: DA9530364]
Querry 1998 {unpublished data only}
  • Querry PA. Effects of aerobic exercise training and cognitive function in aging adults. Dissertation Abstracts International 1998. [: DA9901203]

Additional references

  1. References to studies included in this review
  2. References to studies excluded from this review
  3. References to studies awaiting assessment
  4. Additional references
Abbott 2004
Aleman 2000
  • Aleman A, De Haan EHF, Verhaar HJJ, Samson MM, de Vries WR, Koppeschaar HP. Relation between cognitive and physical function in healthy older men; a role for aerobic power?. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2000;48:104-5.
Angevaren 2007
  • Angevaren M, Vanhees L, Wendel-Vos W, Verhaar HJJ, Aufdemkampe G, Aleman A, et al. Intensity, but not duration, of physical activities is related to cognitive function. European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation 2007;14:825-30.
Barnes 2003
  • Barnes DE, Yaffe K, Satariano WA, Tager IB. A longitudinal study of cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive function in healthy older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2003;51:459-65.
    Direct Link:
Binder 1999
  • Binder EF, Storandt M, Birge SJ. The relation between psychometric test performance and physical performance in older adults. Journal of Gerontology A Biological Science Medical Science 1999;54:M428-32.
Boutron 2005
  • Boutron, I, Moher D, Tugwell P, Giraudeau B, Poiraudeau S, Nizard R, et al. A checklist to evaluate a report of a nonpharmaceutical trial (CLEAR NPT) was developed using consensus. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 2005;58:1233-40.
Caroll 1993
  • Caroll JB. Human cognitive abilities: A survey of factor-analytic studies. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1993.
Churchill 2002
Colcombe 2003
  • Colcombe S, Kramer AF. Fitness effects on the cognitive function of older adults; a meta-analytic study. Psychological Science 2003;14:125-30.
    Direct Link:
Colcombe 2004
Cotman 2002
Etnier 1997 b
  • Etnier JL, Salazar W, Landers DM, Petruzzello SJ, Han M, Nowell P. The influence of physical fitness and exercise upon cognitive functioning; a meta-analysis. Journal of Sports and Exercise Psychology 1997;19:249-77.
Etnier 2006
  • Etnier JL, Nowell PM, Landers DM, Sibley BA. A meta-regression to examine the relationship between aerobic fitness and cognitive performance. Brain Research Reviews 2006;52:119-30.
Etnier 2007
  • Etnier JL, Caselli RJ, Reiman EM, Aleander GE, Sibley BA, Tessier D, et al. Cognitive performance in older women relative to ApoE-e4 genotype and aerobic fitness. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 2007;39:199-207.
Heyn 2004
  • Heyn P, Abreu BC, Ottenbacher KJ. The effects of exercise training on elderly persons with cognitive impairment and dementia; a meta-analysis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2004;85:1694-704.
Higgins 2005
  • Higgins JPT, Green S, editors. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 4.2.5 [updated May 2005]. www.cochrane.org/resources/handbook/hbook.htm. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, (accessed 15 September 2007).
Israel 1987
  • Israel L. Entrainer sa mémoire: guide a l'intention des moniteurs. Paris: Centre de Psychologie Appliquée, 1987.
Kessels 2000
Landis 1977
Laurin 2001
Lemura 2000
  • Lemura LM, von Duvillard SP, Mookerjee S. The effects of physical training of functional capacity in adults. Ages 46 to 90: a meta-analysis. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2000;40:1-10.
Lezak 2004
  • Lezak MD, Howieson DB, Loring DW. Neuropsychological assessment. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004.
Martin 2003
McAuley 2004
Newson 2006
Podewils 2005
  • Podewils LJ, Guallar E, Kuller LH, Fried LP, Lopez OL, Carlson M, et al. Physical activity, APOE genotype, and dementia risk: findings from the Cardiovascular Health Cognition Study. American Journal of Epidemiology 2005;161:639-51.
Prins 2002
  • Prins ND, Den Heijer T, Hofman A, Koudstaal PJ, Jolles J, Clarke R, et al. Homocysteine and cognitive function in the elderly: the Rotterdam Scan Study. Neurology 2002;59:1375-80.
Richards 2003
Rogers 1990
  • Rogers RL, Meyer JS, Mortel KF. After reaching retirement age physical activity sustains cerebral perfusion and cognition. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 1990;38:123-8.
Salthouse 2003
Salthouse 2007
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Schuit 2001
Sturman 2005
  • Sturman MT, Morris MC, Mendes de Leon CF, Bienias JL, Wilson RS, Evans DA. Physical activity, cognitive activity, and cognitive decline in a biracial community population. Archives of Neurology 2005;62:1750-4.
van Gelder 2004
  • Van Gelder BM, Tijhuis MAR, Kalmijn S, Giampaoli S, Nissinen A, Kromhout D. Physical activity in relation to cognitive decline in elderly men. The FINE Study. Neurology 2004;63:2316-21.
Verhaeghen 1997
Weuve 2004
WPP 2006
  • World Population Prospects, The 2006 Revision Population Database. United Nations [cited 2007 Nov 15]. http://esa.un.org/unpp/.
Yaffe 2001
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