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The neurophysiological mechanisms of exercise-induced improvements in cognitive function

LIU Jian-Xiu¹, WU Bai-Le², WANG Di-Zhi¹, LI Xing-Tian¹, YOU Yan-Wei¹, MIN Lei-Zi¹, MA Xin-Dong^1,3,*

¹Department of Physical Education, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China；²Department of Kinesiology, Beijing Sport University, Beijing 100084, China；³IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China

Abstract

The neurophysiological mechanisms by which exercise improves cognitive function have not been fully elucidated. A comprehensive and systematic review of current domestic and international neurophysiological evidence on exercise improving cognitive function was conducted from multiple perspectives. At the molecular level, exercise promotes nerve cell regeneration and synaptogenesis and maintains cellular development and homeostasis through the modulation of a variety of neurotrophic factors, receptor activity, neuropeptides, and monoamine neurotransmitters, and by decreasing the levels of inflammatory factors and other modulators of neuroplasticity. At the cellular level, exercise enhances neural activation and control and improves brain structure through nerve regeneration, synaptogenesis, improved glial cell function and angiogenesis. At the structural level of the brain, exercise promotes cognitive function by affecting white and gray matter volumes, neural activation and brain region connectivity, as well as increasing cerebral blood flow. This review elucidates how exercise improves the internal environment at the molecular level, promotes cell regeneration and functional differentiation, and enhances the brain structure and neural efficiency. It provides a comprehensive, multidimensional explanation of the neurophysiological mechanisms through which exercise promotes cognitive function.

Key words: Exercise; cognitive function; neurophysiology; mechanism; neuroplasticity

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 马新东　　E-mail:

DOI: 10.13294/j.aps.2025.0047

Citing This Article：

LIU Jian-Xiu, WU Bai-Le, WANG Di-Zhi, LI Xing-Tian, YOU Yan-Wei, MIN Lei-Zi, MA Xin-Dong. The neurophysiological mechanisms of exercise-induced improvements in cognitive function. Acta Physiol Sin 2025; 77 (3): 504-522 (in Chinese with English abstract).