As we age, the brain's blood flow tends to slow down, and the time it takes blood to travel through brain arteries increases. These changes can negatively impact brain health and cognitive abilities.

Exercise is known to support overall brain health, but its specific effects on brain blood flow in older adults remain unclear.

A recent study explored how a 26-week exercise program influenced brain blood flow and transit time in 65 healthy older adults aged 60–81. Participants were divided into two groups, one engaging in regular exercise and the other acting as a control.

Findings on Blood Flow and Fitness
The study showed that those who gained the most cardiorespiratory fitness through exercise experienced a small drop in overall brain blood flow. However, the time it took for blood to move through the brain’s arteries didn’t change.

This may indicate that their brains became more efficient, requiring less blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients.

Surprisingly, the shifts in overall blood flow had no measurable effect on cognitive functions like memory, attention, or processing speed.

Exercise and Cognitive Health
Despite the exercise program's success in improving participants' physical fitness, it did not lead to any noticeable cognitive improvements.

This raises questions about the relationship between physical fitness, brain blood flow, and thinking skills. The findings suggest that while exercise may enhance how the brain uses oxygen, these benefits might not directly translate into sharper mental abilities over a short timeframe.

Looking Ahead
This study provides valuable insights into how exercise influences brain blood flow in older adults. However, the lack of cognitive improvements calls for further research.

Long-term studies might reveal whether extended exercise programs lead to more profound changes in brain structure and function. Understanding these connections could help refine exercise recommendations to support healthy aging.


About the scientific paper:

First author: Jack Feron, UK
Published in: NeuroImage December 2024
Link to paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811924004166