Optimal type and dose of exercise to improve cognitive function in healthy and pre-sarcopenic older adults: a bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Exercise is increasingly recognized as a non-pharmacological strategy for cognitive aging; however, comparative evidence across modalities, phenotypes, and doses is limited.

Methods

We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis of 38 randomized controlled trials (N = 4,047; 88 arms). The interventions included aerobic, resistance, multimodal, and other exercise formats compared with non-exercise controls. The primary outcome was global cognition. Analyses were stratified by age (< 70 vs. ≥70 years) and phenotype (healthy vs. pre-sarcopenic). Dose-response relationships were modeled using the weekly volume (MET·min/week).

Results

Aerobic (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.58, 95% CI 0.33-0.83), resistance (0.62, 0.35-0.88), and multimodal programs (0.68,

SUBMITTER: Yang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12918418 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature