O IMPACTO DA PRÁTICA DE ATIVIDADE FÍSICA NA COGNIÇÃO DURANTE O ENVELHECIMENTO: UMA REVISÃO INTEGRATIVA DA LITERATURA

The increase in the elderly population is a global phenomenon that poses considerable challenges to public health, especially with regard to cognitive health. Physical activity has been the subject of several studies as a possible strategy to improve cognition among the elderly. The objective of this study was to identify in the literature the contributions of physical activity to cognition during the aging process. The information was collected from databases such as SCIELO, BVS and Google Scholar, using the terms “physical activity”, “exercise”, “cognition”, “cognitive skills” and “aging”. Initially, 712 articles were identified, of which six were chosen to compose the sample for this review. The findings demonstrate that regular physical activity is associated with significant improvements in cognitive functions, highlighting the importance of promoting an active lifestyle among the elderly. Although the benefits are clear, encouraging adherence to physical activity among this age group can present difficulties. The literature also indicates that different types of physical activities can have different effects on cognition. In summary, the constant practice of physical activity stands out as a valuable approach to improving mental health in the elderly, favoring healthier and more active aging.