The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on the Hippocampal Volume of Older Adults

Rijul Ashar

Abstract: The hippocampus is a portion of the brain that encodes memories into long - term storage and tends to see a decline in function with age. As aging is often associated with memory problems (e. g. dementia, Alzheimer's), it is essential to understand how activities people do naturally during their lives may slow or reverse age - related decreases in hippocampal volume. In this literature review, we aim for a better understanding of the role that consistent aerobic exercise plays in slowing the decay of the hippocampus? volume, as well as the effects that age and specific types of exercise have on this relationship. We will review published papers that use observational methods to examine the effects of different kinds of aerobic exercise in individuals? lives on the volume of the hippocampus in relation to total brain volume. We will collect effect size statistics from the relevant published studies to provide quantitative measurements of the impact of aerobic exercise on hippocampal shrinkage. From this point, psychologists and neurologists can better understand what potential interventions may be effective in the reversal of age - related memory decline.

Keywords: hippocampus, hippocampal volume, aerobic exercise, seniors, older adults, memory