Aging, Cognition, and Physical Exercise: Interplay Between Muscle Function, Myokines, and Brain Health

Aging is a complex physiological process associated with structural and functional changes that negatively affect both cognition and muscle function. Strong evidence indicates that physical exercise acts as a protective factor, mitigating cognitive and functional decline through mechanisms such as the release of myokines, increased cerebral vascularization, and neuroplasticity. Experimental studies have demonstrated that exercise stimulates the secretion of key myokines, including brainderived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and cathepsin B, all of which regulate neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and oxidative stress reduction. Recent meta-analyses confirm that aerobic and resistance training can reduce the risk of dementia by up to 28% and significantly improve executive function and memory in older adults. Thus, physical exercise should be understood not only as a tool for maintaining motor capacity but also as a therapeutic strategy for cognitive protection and the prevention of age-related diseases.