Effects of Moderate and Regular Exercise on Improving Neurocognition and Preventing Neurodegenerative Diseases in the Elderly

This study evaluated the effects of regular moderate-intensity exercise on neurocognitive function in older adults. 120 eligible elderly participants were randomly assigned to either an exercise intervention group or a control group. The intervention group underwent a 12-week structured, multicomponent moderate-intensity exercise program, incorporating aerobic, resistance, flexibility, and balance training. Six composite indices were developed: the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)-mediated Hippocampal Plasticity Index (BHPI), the Exercise-Induced Neuroinflammation-Oxidative Stress Index (ENOSI), the Cognitive Executive Network Connectivity Index (CENCI), the Exercise-Metabolism-Cognition Coupling Index (EMCCI), the Neurovascular-Cognitive Function Coupling Index (NVCFI), and the Cognitive Resilience Variability Index (CRVI). The intervention group exhibited a mean hippocampal volume increase of 0.018 cm³ greater than controls (<i>p</i> < .001) and a serum BDNF increase of 7.7 ng/mL greater than controls (<i>p</i> < .001), corresponding to relative increases of 1.8% and 38.5%, respectively, linked to Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) gains (<i>r</i> = 0.64). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased by ~ 25%, superoxide dismutase (SOD) rose by 36%, and the ENOSI dropped by 32.5%. Executive network connectivity and Stroop performance improved. Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) declined (Δ = -0.56), correlating with better memory (<i>r</i> = 0.49). Middle cerebral artery (MCA) velocity increased by 15.6%, enhancing attention. Dopamine D2/D3 binding rose by 11.2%, associated with balance gains. Cognitive variability dropped by 40%. Moderate exercise improves multidimensional cognition in the elderly through neuroplastic, anti-inflammatory, metabolic, and vascular mechanisms, enhancing both performance and system stability.