Effectiveness of exercise for improving cognition, memory and executive function: a systematic umbrella review and meta-analysis

This umbrella review aimed to synthesize the existing evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses regarding the impact of exercise on three key cognitive domains: general cognition, memory, and executive function. The researchers conducted a comprehensive search across 11 major databases, identifying 133 systematic reviews that included 2,724 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and over 258,000 participants. The study utilized the AMSTAR-2 tool to assess the risk of bias in these reviews and performed subgroup analyses to determine how factors such as age, clinical status, exercise intensity, and intervention duration influence cognitive outcomes.

The analysis provides strong evidence that exercise is a beneficial intervention for cognitive health across the lifespan. Exercise significantly improved general cognition (standardised mean difference [SMD]=0.42), memory (SMD=0.26), and executive function (SMD=0.24). Notably, children and adolescents derived greater improvements in memory and executive function compared to adults and older adults. Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) showed the most significant gains in executive function. The study also found that shorter interventions (1–3 months) and exergames (video games requiring physical movement) were particularly effective for general cognition and memory.

These findings reinforce the role of exercise as an essential, inclusive recommendation for optimizing cognitive health. The results suggest that even light-intensity exercise can confer meaningful cognitive benefits, making it a highly accessible public health strategy. By demonstrating that cognitive improvements occur across diverse populations—including those with chronic conditions—this review supports the integration of exercise into standard clinical care as a low-cost, versatile intervention for preserving and enhancing mental function.