UniSA research shows exercise boosts brainpower at all ages

Whether it's kicking a football, an early morning jog, or a touch of Tai Chi, innovative research from the University of South Australia shows that any form of exercise can significantly boost brain function and memory across children, adults and older adults.

Over the past few decades, an increasing body of research has evaluated the relationship between exercise and cognitive function where cognitive function encompasses a broad spectrum of mental processes, including memory, attention and executive functions, all of which play pivotal roles in an individual’s daily life and overall well- being.

Cognitive decline and related neurodegenerative diseases have become global health concerns, underscoring the urgency of identifying effective strategies to preserve and enhance cognitive function across the lifespan.

A key strength of the UniSA study is that it is the largest, most comprehensive umbrella review to date which assesses the impact of a wide array of exercise modalities on cognitive function across all age groups, encompassing both general and specific clinical populations. The vast number of included studies enabled the researchers to perform detailed subgroup analyses to discern the effects across different ages, health conditions and exercise types.

Researchers found that regular exercise improves general cognition, memory and executive function in both healthy individuals and those with clinical conditions, reinforcing exercise as an essential, inclusive activity for optimising cognitive health.

The UniSA research which synthesised findings from 133 systematic reviews, covering 2724 randomised controlled trials and 258,279 participants with the systematic umbrella and meta-meta-analysis revealed:

• low-to moderate-intensity exercise had the greatest benefits for brain function and memory

• children and adolescents showed the greatest improvements in memory, while people with ADHD saw the biggest gains in executive function

• yoga, Tai Chi, and exergames (active video games) delivered the most significant cognitive benefits.

Lead researcher, UniSA's Dr Ben Singh, says the findings provide a comprehensive understanding of how different types, intensities, and durations of exercise influence cognitive function.

Dr Singh noted "exercise has a profound effect on physical health, but we also know it benefits brain function. What this study confirms is that even low-intensity exercise - like yoga or walking - can improve cognition, making it accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

"In particular, we found that benefits were delivered quickly - with clear gains within 1-3 months, highlighting that even small bursts of activity can make a big difference. It also signals that trying out new activities could play a key role in keeping the brain engaged and active.

"For children and teens, exercise was especially beneficial for developing memory, while for people with ADHD, it helped improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and enhance executive function.”

Dr Singh added "we also found that mind-body exercises, like Tai Chi and yoga, had the most significant impact on memory, while exergames - such as Pokémon Go - were highly effective for general cognition. This is an encouraging finding, as it suggests that engaging, low-impact activities can offer real cognitive benefits."

Senior researcher, Professor Carol Maher advises exercise should be encouraged as a cognitive health strategy across all ages and fitness levels and notes "Cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases are growing global health concerns, underscoring the urgent need to identify effective strategies to preserve and enhance cognitive function across the lifespan.

"This study presents compelling evidence that exercise should be integrated into healthcare and education settings to promote cognitive well-being.

"Knowing that even small amounts of exercise can improve memory and brain function - especially for those at higher risk - presents a clear opportunity for exercise to be included in clinical and public health guidelines."

Access the research report 

The University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide are joining forces to become Australia's new major university - Adelaide University. Building on the strengths, legacies and resources of two leading universities, Adelaide University will deliver globally relevant research at scale, innovative, industry-informed teaching and an outstanding student experience. Adelaide University will open its doors in January 2026. Find out more on the Adelaide University website. 

Image top. Children and senior kicking football in the park. Credit: pexels kampus; Image below. Seniors Exercise Tai Chi in park. Credit: pexels vlada karpovich