title: Physical activity and cognitive function in individuals over 60 years of age: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is unclear whether physical activity in later life is beneficial for maintenance of cognitive function. We performed a systematic review examining the effects of exercise on cognitive function in older individuals, and present possible mechanisms whereby physical activity may improve cognition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sources consisted of PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and the University of Washington, School of Medicine Library Database, with a search conducted on August 15, 2012 for publications limited to the English language starting January 1, 2000. Randomized controlled trials including at least 30 participants and lasting at least 6 months, and all observational studies including a minimum of 100 participants for one year, were evaluated. All subjects included were at least 60 years of age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-six studies reported a positive correlation between physical activity and maintenance or enhancement of cognitive function. Five studies reported a dose-response relationship between physical activity and cognition. One study showed a nonsignificant correlation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The preponderance of evidence suggests that physical activity is beneficial for cognitive function in the elderly. However, the majority of the evidence is of medium quality with a moderate risk of bias. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify the association between exercise and cognitive function and to determine which types of exercise have the greatest benefit on specific cognitive domains. Despite these caveats, the current evidence suggests that physical activity may help to improve cognitive function and, consequently, delay the progression of cognitive impairment in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK ; School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: Irene Maeve
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Rea
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boise, ID, USA ; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Tanyalak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Parimon
authors.affiliation: Research and Development Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boise, ID, USA ; Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Barry J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Cusack
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity
keywords: cognitive function; elderly; exercise
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