Fitness and exercise effects on brain age: A randomized clinical trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Midlife lifestyle factors, including physical activity, are associated with late-life brain health, yet the role of aerobic exercise on structural brain health in early and mid-adulthood remains poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the effect of aerobic exercise on structural brain age and to explore potential mediators.

Methods

In a single-blind, 12-month randomized clinical trial, 130 healthy participants aged 26-58 years were randomized into a moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise group or a usual-care control group. The exercise group attended two supervised 60-min sessions per week in a laboratory setting plus engaged in home-based exercise to achieve 150 min of exercise per week. Brain-predicted age difference (brain-PAD) and cardiorespir

SUBMITTER: Wan L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12828596 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature