Study links physical activity to healthier brain structure in midlife adults
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A new study published in Nature Scientific Reports reveals that higher levels of physical activity are linked to healthier brain volumes in midlife and older adults. Led by Dr Alexandra La Hood from the School of Translational Medicine and Associate Professor Chris Moran from the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine and the National Centre for Healthy Ageing, the study analysed data from over 16,000 UK Biobank participants using wrist-worn accelerometers and MRI brain scans.
The findings show that increased physical activity is associated with larger total brain, grey matter, white matter, and hippocampal volumes, as well as fewer white matter hyperintensities -markers of brain aging. Although body mass index (BMI) and cardiometabolic risk factors mediated some of these associations, physical activity remained independently beneficial for several brain regions.
Importantly, no significant interaction was found between BMI and physical activity, suggesting that the benefits of being active apply broadly, regardless of weight. The researchers suggest physical activity may support brain health both by improving cardiovascular health and through direct biological effects, such as promoting growth factors and reducing inflammation.
These findings support global public health recommendations that promote physical activity to reduce the risk of dementia and maintain brain health in mid-to-late life.
According to Associate Professor Moran, it has been unclear whether the benefits of physical activity on brain health are impacted by a person’s level of being overweight or obese.
The study examined MRIs of brain volume, as well as physical activity and BMI, in people in mid-to-late life, using data from the UK Biobank. The study found that although BMI, waist circumference and cardiometabolic risk factors were related to brain health (as determined by volume), “greater physical activity remained independently associated with healthier brains,” Associate Professor Moran said.
Read the study in Nature Scientific Reports.
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