Effects of physical exercises on the nervous system of elders and its functional consequences

Abstract

The objective of this study was to review the literature on the effects of physical exercise on the structures and functions of the nervous system (NS) of elderly people and to report frequently used exercises and its parameters. After extensive and systematic search in electronic databases, it was included 22 randomized and non‐randomized clinical trials that evaluated the effects of physical exercise on neuroanatomophysiological variables of the elderly. The majority (77.3%) investigated the effects on central NS and used aerobic exercise. Physical exercise showed benefits in the structures and functions of the NS of elderly subjects, including cognitive functions, and in muscular and cardiovascular structures and functions, mobility and balance. There is still no consensus on which training parameters are most appropriate.