- Exercise-Only training produced statistically significant improvements in executive function, memory and processing speed compared with control.
- Exercise-Plus interventions were significantly better than control for memory only; cognitive training was the most common Plus component.
- Exercise-Plus outperformed Exercise-Only for executive functions and processing speed but not for memory; further research needed on added multidomain benefit.
Br J Sports Med. 2026 Sep 21:bjsports-2026-111684. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2026-111684. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of exercise training as a single intervention (ie, Exercise-Only) and exercise combined with other lifestyle interventions (ie, Exercise-Plus) on executive functions, memory and processing speed of older adults living without dementia.
DESIGN: We performed a systematic review with pairwise meta-analyses and network meta-analysis to examine the effects of: (1) Exercise-Only versus Control; (2) Exercise-Plus versus Control; and (3) Exercise-Plus versus Exercise-Only.
DATA SOURCES: We searched four databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO and CINAHL) between database inception and March 2026.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials that examined the effects of exercise training as a single domain or multidomain intervention on cognitive function of adults aged over 60 living without dementia.
RESULTS: We included 227 studies in the pairwise meta-analyses (Exercise-Only=178, Exercise-Plus=67) and 105 studies in the subset for the network meta-analysis (Exercise-Only=76, Exercise-Plus=36). Cognitive training and cognitively engaging activities were the most common Plus component in the included studies. Exercise-Only produced statistically significant improvements across all three cognitive domains compared with Control. Exercise-Plus was only significantly better than Control for memory. Exercise-Plus was also significantly better than Exercise-Only for executive functions and processing speed but not for memory.
CONCLUSION: We recommend the promotion of exercise training to improve cognitive outcomes of older adults. Further research is needed to determine the added benefit of multidomain exercise interventions.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42022322199.
PMID:42767813 | DOI:10.1136/bjsports-2026-111684
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