Physical activity and exercise are low-cost interventions in primary and secondary prevention of several noncommunicable disease e. In the context of demographic change , the relative and absolute numbers of patients with neurological, especially neurodegenerative disease, will increase.
Based on missing causal therapies and high costs, non-pharmacological e. Epidemiological, observational, and randomized controlled studies have shown that physical activity can enhance brain plasticity and improve cognitive vitality over lifespan.
However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are still largely unknown. Physical activity can influence different risk factors for neurovascular and neurodegenerative diseases e. In this clinical review we summarize the role of physical activity in the prevention and therapy of neurological disease.
Physical activity and exercise are low-cost interventions in primary and secondary prevention for numerous non-communicable diseases e. In this regard, physical activity is defined as any movement associated with energy expenditure and exercise as a specific, structured, and planned form of physical activity 4.
An essential feature of healthy brain aging is the lifelong ability to adapt to external and internal stimuli, a process called brain plasticity also known as neuroplasticity. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of brain plasticity are among other things neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, axon sprouding, glial changes, angiogenesis, and myelin remodelling In this clinical review, we summarize the potential role of physical activity and exercise in prevention and therapy of neurodegenerative disease.
