Neurobiological evidence of longer-term physical activity interventions on mental health outcomes and cognition in young people: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Kareen Heinze; Jennifer Cumming; Amrita Dosanjh; Sophia Palin; Shannen Poulton; Andrew P Bagshaw; Matthew R Broome

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.10.014

Neurobiological evidence of longer-term physical activity interventions on mental health outcomes and cognition in young people: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021 Jan:120:431-441. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.10.014. Epub 2020 Oct 22.

Authors

Kareen Heinze¹, Jennifer Cumming², Amrita Dosanjh³, Sophia Palin⁴, Shannen Poulton⁵, Andrew P Bagshaw⁶, Matthew R Broome⁷

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK; Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK; Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK. Electronic address: k.heinze@bham.ac.uk.
² Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK; School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK. Electronic address: j.cumming@bham.ac.uk.
³ School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK. Electronic address: amrita-d@hotmail.com.
⁴ School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK. Electronic address: sophiamaura@hotmail.co.uk.
⁵ School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK. Electronic address: SXP990@student.bham.ac.uk.
⁶ School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK; Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK. Electronic address: a.p.bagshaw@bham.ac.uk.
⁷ School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK; Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK; Centre for Human Brain Health, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, UK. Electronic address: m.r.broome@bham.ac.uk.

PMID: 33172601
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.10.014

Abstract

Objective: To investigate putative neurobiological mechanisms that link longer-term physical activity interventions to mental health and cognitive outcomes using randomised controlled trials in children, adolescents and young adults.

Data sources: A range of medical and psychological science electronic databases were searched (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, PsychINFO).

Review methods: Original research studies were selected, data were extracted and quality was appraised.

Results: Sixteen primary papers were included, ranging from healthy and community samples to subclinical and clinical populations across a variety of age ranges and using different neurobiological measures (e.g. magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, cortisol, brain-derived neurotropic factor).

Discussion: The majority of studies report improvement in mental health and cognition outcomes following longer-term physical activity interventions which coincide with neurobiological alterations, especially neuroimaging alterations in activation and electrophysiological parameters in frontal areas. Future research should include measures of pre-existing fitness and target those who would benefit the most from this type of intervention (e.g. those with a lower level of fitness and at risk for or with mental health problems).

Keywords: BDNF; Cortisol; DTI; EEG; Exercise; MRI; fMRI.

Publication types

Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Brain
Child
Cognition*
Exercise*
Humans
Mental Health
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic