Exercise Boosts Memory Across All Ages – Neuroscience News

Summary: New research finds that nearly any form of exercise can enhance brain function and memory across the lifespan. This large-scale umbrella review analyzed data from over 258,000 participants and found that low- to moderate-intensity activities like yoga, Tai Chi, and even exergames significantly benefit cognition.

Children and teens saw the greatest memory gains, while people with ADHD experienced notable improvements in executive function. The findings highlight that even small bursts of movement can have profound cognitive effects, making exercise an accessible and essential brain-health strategy for everyone.

Key Facts:

• Best Cognitive Boosts: Yoga, Tai Chi, and exergames showed the strongest improvements in memory and cognition.
• Fast Benefits: Gains in brain function were observed within just 1–3 months of regular exercise.
• Inclusive Impact: Low- to moderate-intensity exercise benefited all age groups, especially children and those with ADHD.

Source: University of South Australia

Whether it’s an early morning jog, or a touch of Tai Chi, groundbreaking research from the University of South Australia shows that any form of exercise can significantly boost brain function and memory across children, adults, and older adults.

In the largest, most comprehensive umbrella review to date, researchers found that regular exercise improves general cognition, memory, and executive function in both healthy individuals and those with clinical conditions, reinforcing exercise as an essential, inclusive activity for optimising cognitive health.

Synthesising findings from 133 systematic reviews, covering 2724 randomised controlled trials and 258,279 participants, the systematic umbrella and meta-meta-analysis found that:

• low- to moderate-intensity exercise had the greatest benefits for brain function and memory
• children and adolescents showed the greatest improvements in memory, while people with ADHD saw the biggest gains in executive function
• yoga, Tai Chi, and exergames (active video games) delivered the most significant cognitive benefits.

Lead researcher, UniSA’s Dr Ben Singh, says the findings provide a comprehensive understanding of how different types, intensities, and durations of exercise influence cognitive function.

“Exercise has a profound effect on physical health, but we also know it benefits brain function. What this study confirms is that even low-intensity exercise – like yoga or walking – can improve cognition, making it accessible to people of all ages and abilities,” Dr Singh says.

“In particular, we found that benefits were delivered quickly – with clear gains within 1-3 months, highlighting that even small bursts of activity can make a big difference. It also signals that trying out new activities could play a key role in keeping the brain engaged and active.

“For children and teens, exercise was especially beneficial for developing memory, while for people with ADHD, it helped improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and enhance executive function.

“We also found that mind-body exercises, like Tai Chi and yoga, had the most significant impact on memory, while exergames – such as Pokémon Go – were highly effective for general cognition. This is an encouraging finding, as it suggests that engaging, low-impact activities can offer real cognitive benefits.”

Senior researcher, Professor Carol Maher says exercise should be encouraged as a cognitive health strategy across all ages and fitness levels.

“Cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases are growing global health concerns, underscoring the urgent need to identify effective strategies to preserve and enhance cognitive function across the lifespan,” Prof Maher says.

“This study presents compelling evidence that exercise should be integrated into healthcare and education settings to promote cognitive well-being.

“Knowing that even small amounts of exercise can improve memory and brain function – especially for those at higher risk – presents a clear opportunity for exercise to be included in clinical and public health guidelines.”

About this exercise and memory research news

Author: Annabel Mansfield
Source: University of South Australia
Contact: Annabel Mansfield – University of South Australia
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Open access.
“Effectiveness of exercise for improving cognition, memory and executive function: a systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis” by Ben Singh et al. British Journal of Sports Medicine

Abstract

Effectiveness of exercise for improving cognition, memory and executive function: a systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis

Objective 

To evaluate systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of exercise on general cognition, memory and executive function across all populations and ages.

Methods 

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of RCTs evaluating the effects of exercise on general cognition, memory and executive function were eligible. Data extraction and risk of bias scoring were conducted in duplicate. The A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR-2) was used to assess the risk of bias. Effect sizes were pooled using random effects models and reported as standardised mean differences (SMD). Subgroup analyses were conducted for participant and intervention characteristics.

General cognition, memory and executive function.

Data sources 

CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE via OVID, Emcare, ProQuest Central, ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Source, PsycINFO, Scopus, Sport Discus and Web of Science.

Results 

133 systematic reviews (2,724 RCTs and 258 279 participants) were included. Exercise significantly improved general cognition (SMD=0.42), memory (SMD=0.26) and executive function (SMD=0.24). Memory and executive function improvements from exercise were greater for children and adolescents than for adults and older adults. Those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder exhibited greater improvement in executive function than other populations.

Effects were generally larger for low- and moderate-intensity interventions. Shorter interventions (1–3 months) and exergames (video games that require physical movement) had the largest effects on general cognition and memory. Findings remained statistically significant after excluding reviews rated as low and critically low quality.

Conclusions 

These findings provide strong evidence that exercise, even light intensity, benefits general cognition, memory and executive function across all populations, reinforcing exercise as an essential, inclusive recommendation for optimising cognitive health.

Trial registration number 

PROSPERO ID: CRD42023468991.