Relationships between physical activity, sleep and cognitive function: A narrative review

Kelsey R Sewell; Kirk I Erickson; Stephanie R Rainey-Smith; Jeremiah J Peiffer; Hamid R Sohrabi; Belinda M Brown

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.003

Relationships between physical activity, sleep and cognitive function: A narrative review

Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2021 Nov:130:369-378. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.003. Epub 2021 Sep 11.

Authors

Kelsey R Sewell¹, Kirk I Erickson², Stephanie R Rainey-Smith³, Jeremiah J Peiffer⁴, Hamid R Sohrabi⁵, Belinda M Brown⁶

Affiliations

¹ Discipline of Exercise Science, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, Australia. Electronic address: Kelsey.sewell@murdoch.edu.au.
² Discipline of Exercise Science, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, Australia; Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, 4200 Fifth Ave, PA, United States.
³ Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, 8 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Centre For Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, Australia; School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, Australia; School of Psychological Science, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, WA, Australia.
⁴ Discipline of Exercise Science, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, Australia; Centre For Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, Australia.
⁵ Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, 8 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Centre For Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, Australia; School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, Australia; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Balaclava Road, NSW, Australia.
⁶ Discipline of Exercise Science, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, Australia; Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, 8 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA, Australia; Centre For Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, Australia; School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA, Australia.

PMID: 34506842
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.003

Abstract

Physical activity and exercise can improve cognitive function and reduce the risk for dementia. Other lifestyle factors, including sleep, are associated with cognitive function and dementia risk, and exercise is an effective therapeutic strategy for improving sleep. Based on these associations, it has been hypothesised that sleep might be an important mediator for the effects of exercise on cognition. Here, we review the current literature to evaluate whether sleep and physical activity are independently or jointly associated with cognitive function. The extant literature in this area is minimal, and the causal relationships between physical activity, sleep and cognition have not been examined. A small number of cross-sectional studies in this area suggest that physical activity may attenuate some of the negative impact that poor sleep has on cognition, and also that sleep may be a mechanism through which physical activity improves cognitive abilities. Further research may enable the development of individually tailored intervention programs to result in the greatest cognitive benefit, ultimately delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Keywords: Cognition; Executive function; Exercise; Global cognition; Mediation; Memory; Moderation; Physical activity; Review; Sleep; Sleep duration; Sleep efficiency; Sleep quality.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Cognition
Cognitive Dysfunction*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Exercise*
Humans
Life Style
Sleep