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. 2020 Mar 27;9(4):914. doi: 10.3390/jcm9040914

Table 2.

Summary of experimental studies examining the effect of exercise intervention on resting-state brain functioning.

Citation Characteristics of Study (n, % Female, Age) Exercise Prescription Main Finding
Experimental Group Control Group
Chapman, Aslan et al. [49] Physical training group (n = 18, 72%, 64.0 ± 4.3) Control group (n = 19, 74%, 64.0 ± 3.6)

  • F: 3d/w

  • I: 50–75% HRmax (moderate)

  • TM: 12 weeks/50 min

  • TP: Aerobic exercise

  • V: NR

  • P: NR

 TD: Neither group showed changes in CBF in the hippocampus.
BD: Physical training group after intervention increased activation in CBF in bilateral ACC compared to the control group.
Flodin, Jonasson et al. [51] Aerobic exercise group (n = 30, 53%, 68.41 ± 2.59) Control group (n = 25, 56%, 69.16 ± 3.01)

  • F: 3d/w

  • I: NR

  • TM: 24 weeks/30–60 min

  • TP: Aerobic exercise

  • V: NR

  • P: NR

 TD: Neither group showed changes in functional connectivity after intervention.
Maass, Düzel et al. [38] Aerobic exercise group (n = 21, 52%, 68.8 ± 4.5) Relax/stretching group (n = 19, 58%, 67.9 ± 4.1)

  • F: 3d/w

  • I: 65% VO2 VAT (vigorous)

  • TM: 12 weeks/30 min

  • TP: Aerobic exercise

  • V: NR

  • P: NR

 TD: Aerobic exercise group showed a significant change in hippocampal perfusion (i.e., CBF and CBV).
Prehn, Lesemann et al. [45] Aerobic exercise group (n = 11, 36%, 69) Stretching and toning group (n = 18, 56%, 65)

  • F: 2d/w

  • I: 80% AT (moderate)

  • TM: 24 weeks/30 min

  • TP: Aerobic exercise

  • V: NRP: 20~30 min

 GD: Aerobic exercise group increased functional connectivity between dlPFC and superior parietal gyrus/precuneus as compared to stretching and toning group.
Tao, Chen et al. [57] Tai Chi Chuan group (n = 21, 62%, 62.38 ± 4.55)
Baduanjin group (n = 15, 60%, 62.33 ± 3.88)		 Control group (n = 25, 76%, 59.76 ± 4.83)

  • F: 5d/w

  • I: NR

  • TM: 12 weeks/60 min

  • TP: Tai Chi

  • V: NR

  • P: NR

 GD: Tai Chi Chuan group significantly increased amplitude of low-frequency and low-4 band in right dlPFC as compared to control group; Baduanjin group significantly increased amplitude of low-frequency and low-4 band in the bilateral medial PFC as compared to control group.
Tao, Chen et al. [58] Tai Chi Chuan group (n = 21, 62%, 62.38 ± 4.55) Baduanjin group (n = 15, 60%, 62.33 ± 3.88) Control group (n = 25, 76%, 59.76 ± 4.83)

  • F: 5d/w

  • I: NR

  • TM: 12 weeks/60 min

  • TP: Tai Chi

  • V: NR

  • P: NR

 GD: Tai Chi Chuan group decreased functional connectivity in the left SFG, left dorsal anterior cingulate, and rostral ACC as compared to control group; Baduanjin group decreased resting-state functional connectivity in the left putamen/insula as compared to control group
Tao, Liu et al. [59] Tai Chi Chuan group (n = 21, 62%, 62.38 ± 4.55) Baduanjin group (n = 15, 60%, 62.33 ± 3.88) Control group (n = 25, 76%, 59.76 ± 4.83)

  • F: 5d/w

  • I: NR

  • TM: 12 weeks/60 min

  • TP: Tai Chi

  • V: NR

  • P: NR

 GD: Tai Chi Chuan group increased functional connectivity between bilateral hippocampus and right medial PFC and left medial PFC as compared to control group; Tai Chi Chuan group increased functional connectivity between left and right hippocampus as compared to control group
Voss, Erickson et al. [55] Walking group (n = 30, 73%, 67.3 ± 5.8) Flexibility, toning, balance group (n = 35, 71%, 65.4 ± 5.2)

  • F: 3d/w

  • I: 60–75% HRmax (moderate)

  • TM: 48 weeks/40 min

  • TP: Aerobic exercise

  • V: NR

  • P: 50–60~60–75% HRmax, 10~40 min

 The study did not provide interventional results.
Voss, Prakash et al. [54] Aerobic walking group (n = 30, 73%, 67.30 ± 5.80) Control group (n = 35, 71%, 67.30 ± 5.24)

  • F: 3d/w

  • I: 60–75% HRR (vigorous)

  • TM: 48 weeks/40 min

  • TP: Aerobic exercise

  • V: NR

  • P: 50–60%~60-75% HRR, 10~40 min

 TD: Aerobic walking exercise group showed connection between right anterior PFC and PFC at 48 weeks into the intervention.

Note: F = frequency; I = intensity; TM = length/session time; TP = type; V = volume; P = progression; NR = not reported; TD: time difference; GD = group difference; AT = anaerobic threshold; CBF = cerebral blood flow; CBV = cerebral blood volume; SFG = superior frontal gyrus; ACC = anterior cingulate cortex; PFC = prefrontal cortex; IPG = inferior parietal gyrus; dlPFC = dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.