Aerobic, Resistance, or Combined Exercise on Cognitive Functions: A Systematic Review

Year 2026, Volume: 2 Issue: 1, 1 - 9, 30.01.2026

İsa Yeşilyurt , Sümeyra Altun Yeşilyurt

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this systematic review is to comparatively evaluate the effects of aerobic (AE), resistance (RE), and combined exercise (CE) modalities on cognitive function in adults diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Materials and Methods: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed across Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases. A total of 15 randomized controlled trials meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The effects of AE, RE, and CE on global cognitive function, memory, executive functions, and activities of daily living were synthesized based on the methodological quality of the included studies.
Results: The reviewed studies suggest that exercise is generally associated with improvements or a slower rate of decline in cognitive performance. AE was frequently linked to favorable changes in memory-related outcomes and hippocampal integrity. RE is commonly associated with improvements in executive-related domains, such as praxis and motor planning. BDNF and IGF-1 may mediate the effects of exercise on cognitive function. Among individuals with dementia, CE programs tended to demonstrate more consistent effects on global cognitive function and activities of daily living compared with single-modality interventions, although findings varied across studies.
Conclusion: AE and RE support cognitive health through distinct neurobiological mechanisms. Particularly in dementia and MCI populations, combined exercise appears to have more consistent effects on global cognitive function and activities of daily living than single-modality interventions. Future research should focus on standardized protocols to establish optimal dose-response relationships.

Keywords

Alzheimer's disease , cognitive function , dementia , exercise therapy , resistance training

Ethical Statement

This study is a review of previously published literature; therefore, ethical approval and informed consent were not required

Supporting Institution

This study received no financial support.

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