The Effects of Different Exercise Protocols on the Management and Improvement of Alzheimer's Disease in Preclinical Studies: A Review Article

Numerous studies in animal models have shown that physical exercise (PE) can have positive effects on brain function and health. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, characterized by the extracellular accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles, leading to progressive cognitive decline. This study presents a systematic review of research conducted between 2020 and 2025 regarding the effects of physical activity on animal models of AD. Sources were searched from reputable databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using the keywords: Alzheimer , physical exercise , animal model , and aerobic training . After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 studies were selected for final review. Aerobic exercise was the most commonly used protocol, with treadmill running being the predominant method. The most frequent training duration was 60 minutes per day at moderate intensity, five sessions per week. The animal models used mainly included Tg-APP/PS1 transgenic mice, i.c.v. Aβ injection models, and streptozotocin models. Findings indicated that PE was effective in improving cognitive markers and reducing Aβ and inflammatory proteins. The lack of studies on resistance training in AD models highlights a gap that should be addressed in future research. It is recommended that exercise protocols be tailored to the species, strain, and lifespan of the animals.