What does this research mean for the field?

Higher levels of physical activity are associated with greater brain volume in specific regions among healthy older adults. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This review aims to summarize the association between physical activity and brain volume in healthy older adults, identifying key affected regions.

June 8, 2026Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

Physical Activity and the Volume of Different Brain Regions and Structures in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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This review aims to summarize the association between physical activity and brain volume in healthy older adults, identifying key affected regions.
Systematic review of observational cross-sectional studies from PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase.
Inclusion criteria: observational design, physical activity assessed via questionnaires/device, brain volume measured, participants aged 60+.
Total of 19 studies with 2,684 participants evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging.
Identified 76 brain regions analyzed, with white matter hyperintensities and total hippocampal volume most frequently evaluated.
Moderate methodological quality (average score 4.6 ± 0.9 on Newcastle-Ottawa Scale).
Higher levels of physical activity correlate with greater brain volume in specific regions.

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Implication

Systematic review reveals physical activity positively influences brain volume in healthy older adults, suggesting implications for aging and dementia prevention.

Cite This Study

Lucena et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a265becad53cfb9357c549c https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2025-0053

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Implication

Systematic review reveals physical activity positively influences brain volume in healthy older adults, suggesting implications for aging and dementia prevention.

Physical Activity and the Volume of Different Brain Regions and Structures in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Physical Activity and the Volume of Different Brain Regions and Structures in Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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