Research
Adherence
There is no minimal threshold for cognitive benefit from exercise; any amount of physical activity is better than none, though clinically meaningful changes require ~724 METs-min/week.
You do not need to exercise for hours to see brain benefits. Even small amounts of activity help. However, to see significant, clinically meaningful improvements, aim for approximately 724 METs-min per week (e.g., 150 minutes of moderate activity).
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
We found no minimal threshold for the beneficial effect of exercise on cognition... The estimated minimal exercise dose associated with clinically relevant changes in cognition was 724 METs-min per week
Why this rating
Based on 44 RCTs and Bayesian modeling.
Source
Optimal dose and type of exercise to improve cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review and bayesian model-based network meta-analysis of RCTs
Daniel Gallardo‐Gómez et al. · Ageing Research Reviews · 2022
Meta-analysis · 44 studiesCited 243×
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