The Effects of Physical Exercise on Neuroplasticity and the Prevention of Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Integrative Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36557/2674-8169.2026v8n3p872-887Keywords:
Physical exercise, neuroplasticity, neurodegenerative diseases, BDNF, brain health.Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases represent an important public health issue, especially due to population aging and the increasing prevalence of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In this context, non-pharmacological strategies have been widely investigated as ways to promote brain health and delay degenerative processes. Among these strategies, physical exercise stands out due to its potential positive effects on neuroplasticity, a fundamental mechanism for the adaptation and functional reorganization of the nervous system. Several studies indicate that regular physical activity may stimulate the production of neurotrophic factors, improve neural connectivity, and enhance cognitive functions. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the effects of physical exercise on neuroplasticity and its contribution to the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases through an integrative literature review. The methodology consists of an integrative review of studies published in national and international scientific journals addressing the relationship between physical exercise, neuroplasticity, and the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. Experimental studies, observational studies, and systematic reviews that investigate structural and functional brain changes associated with physical activity, as well as the influence of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), were considered. The results of the analyzed literature indicate that the regular practice of physical exercise, especially aerobic exercise, is associated with increased expression of BDNF, improved neural connectivity, and increased hippocampal volume, a brain region related to memory and learning. Furthermore, evidence suggests that physical exercise may contribute to reducing inflammatory processes and oxidative stress, factors associated with the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. It is concluded that physical exercise plays a relevant role in promoting brain health, favoring neuroplasticity and potentially acting as a preventive or complementary strategy in delaying the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Laura Giovanna Miranda Noceti, Milena Lemes dos Santos Lima, Maria Eduarda Pinheiro Nogueira, Victoria Gomes Cosendei , Ana Laura Freire Leal , Luiza Eduarda Magave Siqueira, Cecília Carvalho e Silva, Juliana Lauren Aquino, Pedro Henrique de Alcântara Santana Ramos, Luiz Guilherme dos Santos Silva, Amanda Bueno de Souza Neves Leite de Paula, Maria Fernanda Aguiar Vieira, Ana Júlia Pavani Rodrigues, Flávia Toledo Marques Burguin Gonçalves
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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