End of exercise, end of benefits? A meta-analysis of optimal physical exercise parameters for brain volume

IF 3.6 2区心理学 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, APPLIED

Applied psychology. Health and well-being Pub Date : 2025-09-29 DOI:10.1111/aphw.70079

Geng Li, Yang Liu, Chengzhen Liu, Antao Chen

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Abstract

Brain volume is closely linked to cognitive function, and its reduction is a key biomarker for neurodegenerative disease risk. Despite extensive research, uncertainties remain regarding the overall effects and optimal prescriptions of physical exercise on brain volume, as well as whether these changes translate into cognitive improvements. This preregistered systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis synthesized data from 59 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 5099 participants. Physical exercise had a significant effect on brain volume (Hedges' g = 0.10), though the majority of effect sizes did not reach the minimal clinically important difference (MCID). Improvements that reached the MCID were observed among subgroups meeting World Health Organization (WHO) physical activity guidelines—particularly those practicing mind–body exercises, following “weekend warrior” patterns, or assessed at follow-up. Meta-regression revealed a significant association between exercise-induced brain volume changes and cognitive improvements (β = 0.20). These findings offer evidence-based guidance for optimizing interventions aimed at improving brain and cognitive health.

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运动结束，收益结束？脑容量最佳运动参数的荟萃分析。

脑容量与认知功能密切相关，其减少是神经退行性疾病风险的关键生物标志物。尽管进行了广泛的研究，但关于体育锻炼对脑容量的总体影响和最佳处方，以及这些变化是否转化为认知能力的提高，仍存在不确定性。这项预注册的系统评价和多水平荟萃分析综合了59项随机对照试验（rct）的数据，涉及5099名参与者。体育锻炼对脑容量有显著影响（Hedges' g = 0.10），尽管大多数效应量没有达到最小临床重要差异（MCID）。在符合世界卫生组织（WHO）身体活动指南的亚组中，特别是那些进行身心锻炼、遵循“周末战士”模式或在随访中进行评估的亚组中，观察到达到MCID的改善。meta回归显示运动引起的脑容量变化与认知改善之间存在显著关联（β = 0.20）。这些发现为优化旨在改善大脑和认知健康的干预措施提供了循证指导。

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来源期刊

Applied psychology. Health and well-being PSYCHOLOGY, APPLIED-

CiteScore

12.10

自引率

2.90%

发文量

期刊介绍： Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being is a triannual peer-reviewed academic journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the International Association of Applied Psychology. It was established in 2009 and covers applied psychology topics such as clinical psychology, counseling, cross-cultural psychology, and environmental psychology.