University of Taipei study links physical exercise to improved cognitive function

A 2025 meta-analysis conducted by the University of Taipei has established a significant link between physical activity and enhanced cognitive performance. The study evaluated 30 existing meta-analyses and 383 individual studies involving over 18,000 participants, concluding that exercise notably improves attention and concentration.

The research indicates that the most pronounced cognitive benefits occur immediately following physical activity. These effects appear to be largely independent of the specific type of sport, the intensity of the workout, or the duration of the session. Furthermore, the age of participants did not significantly impact the degree of cognitive improvement.

Complementary findings from the Cleveland Clinic suggest that different forms of training stimulate specific brain functions: aerobic exercises are particularly beneficial for memory, strength training supports global cognition, and mind-body practices aid working memory. Physiologically, these benefits are linked to increased growth factors such as IGF-1 and BDNF. Even a moderate ten-minute aerobic session can improve thinking abilities for at least 20 minutes.