Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Executive and Memory Functions in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease threatens the health of older adults, particularly by disrupting executive and memory functions, and many studies have shown that aerobic exercise prevents and improves the symptoms associated with the disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to systematically review the effects of aerobic exercise on executive and memory functions in patients with Alzheimer's disease and to determine the effect factors and mechanisms of the design of aerobic exercise intervention programs. METHOD: Relevant literature was searched in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and EBSCO) from January 1, 2014 to March 1, 2023, using a subject-word search method. Data on 10 items, including author and country, were extracted from the literature after screening. The quality of the literature was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale, and a systematic review was performed. RESULTS: Twelve papers from seven countries were ultimately included, embodying 11 randomized controlled trials and one study with a repeated-measures design. The overall quality of the studies was good as 657 study participants, aged 45 years and older who had varying degrees of Alzheimer's disease and significant symptoms, were included. Aerobic exercise was found to have a significant positive impact on executive and memory functions in people with Alzheimer's disease. CONCLUSION: The effects of aerobic exercise on aspects of executive function were mainly characterized by improvements in inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, whereas the effects on aspects of memory function were mainly characterized by improvements in logical memory, situational memory, and short-term memory.

Physical activity interventions for cardiopulmonary fitness in obese children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study [PROSPERO CRD42023416272] systematically analysed the effects of a physical activity intervention on cardiorespiratory fitness in obese children and adolescents and elucidated the factors that influenced those effects. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature on physical activity interventions for improving cardiopulmonary fitness in obese children and adolescents from January 1, 2011, to March 1, 2023, was conducted. The search was performed on the Web of Science and PubMed databases, and the selected literature was first screened and then assessed for quality. Finally, a systematic review was conducted. RESULTS: Out of the initially identified 1424 search records, 28 studies were eventually included in the systematic review. These studies encompassed a total of 2724 participants aged 5 to 18 years, with the publication dates of the literature primarily ranging from 2011 to 2023. Physical activity was found to effectively improve the following parameters in obese children and adolescents: weight [mean difference (MD), -2.03 (95% confidence interval, -2.59 to -1.47), p < 0.00001], maximal oxygen consumption [MD, -1.95 (95% CI, -1.06 to -2.84), p < 0.0001], heart rate [MD, -2.77 (95% CI, -4.88 to -0.67), p = 0.010], systolic blood pressure [MD, -8.11 (95% CI, -11.41 to -4.81), p < 0.00001], and diastolic blood pressure [MD, -4.18 (95% CI, -5.32 to -3.03), p < 0.00001]. High-intensity exercise was found to yield greater improvements than low- to moderate-intensity exercise in maximal oxygen consumption [MD, 1.43 (95% CI, 0.04 to 2.82), p = 0.04] and diastolic blood pressure [MD, -6.94 (95% CI, -10.61 to -3.26), p = 0.0002] in obese children and adolescents. CONCLUSION: Physical activity can effectively improve the body weight, maximal oxygen consumption, heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure of obese children and adolescents. The type of physical activity directly influences the participation interest of obese children and adolescents, with moderate- to high-intensity physical activity showing the most significant impact on intervention outcomes. High-frequency, long-term interventions yield better results than short-term interventions.

The impact of exercise on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a global surge in mental health challenges. This study (PROSPERO CRD42023443860) aimed to investigate the impact of exercise on individuals' mental health through systematic evaluation and meta-analysis to develop a scientific exercise program. Methods: We systematically searched the literature up to August 2023 using PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS. The Cochrane Risk Assessment Tool gaged the methodological quality of the included literature. Results: Among the initially identified 10,343 search records, 12 studies were deemed to meet the criteria for systematic review and meta-analysis. Exercise significantly improved anxiety (SMD -0.81, 95% CI -1.10 to -0.52, p < 0.00001), depression (-1.02, 95% CI -1.42 to -0.62, p = 0.0001), stress (-1.05, 95% CI -1.33 to -0.78, p < 0.00001), and quality of life (1.11, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.41, p < 0.00001). Subgroup analyzes indicated that a single exercise session lasting 30-40 min had the most pronounced effect on reducing anxiety (-1.29, 95% CI -1.12 to -0.86, p < 0.00001) and depression (-1.76, 95% CI -2.24 to -1.28, p < 0.00001). Similarly, an exercise frequency of 3-5 times per week yielded the greatest benefits for anxiety (-1.31, 95% CI -2.15 to -0.46, p < 0.00001) and depression (-1.27, 95% CI -2.11 to -0.41, p = 0.0003). Notably, exercise exhibited its most significant impact on depression improvement in the 40-64 age group (-1.32, 95% CI -1.78 to -0.86, p < 0.00001). Moreover, exercise notably enhanced anxiety levels among individuals in middle and upper-income brackets (-0.99, 95% CI -1.11 to -0.87, p < 0.00001). Conclusion: Exercise alleviated anxiety disorders, depression, stress levels, and quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most significant impact on anxiety and depression improvement is achieved by engaging in 30-40 min of exercise sessions, 3-5 times per week.