The Combined Influences of Exercise, Diet and Sleep on Neuroplasticity

Jacob W Pickersgill; Claudia V Turco; Karishma Ramdeo; Ravjot S Rehsi; Stevie D Foglia; Aimee J Nelson

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.831819

The Combined Influences of Exercise, Diet and Sleep on Neuroplasticity

Front Psychol. 2022 Apr 26:13:831819. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.831819. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Jacob W Pickersgill¹, Claudia V Turco², Karishma Ramdeo¹, Ravjot S Rehsi¹, Stevie D Foglia³, Aimee J Nelson¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Kinesiology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
² Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
³ School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

Abstract

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to undergo structural and functional adaptations in response to experience, and this process is associated with learning, memory and improvements in cognitive function. The brain's propensity for neuroplasticity is influenced by lifestyle factors including exercise, diet and sleep. This review gathers evidence from molecular, systems and behavioral neuroscience to explain how these three key lifestyle factors influence neuroplasticity alone and in combination with one another. This review collected results from human studies as well as animal models. This information will have implications for research, educational, fitness and neurorehabilitation settings.

Keywords: aerobic; diet; exercise; lifestyle; neuroplasticity; resistance; sleep.

Publication types

Review