Regular exercise boosts brain health by reducing depression in older adults

Staying active can help protect cognitive function as we age, with new research showing that part of this benefit comes from reducing depressive symptoms.

A new study using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) has found that older adults who engage in regular physical activity tend to have better cognitive function. Crucially, the study highlights that this link is partly explained by lower levels of depression, reinforcing the importance of exercise for both mental and cognitive health.

Researchers analysed data from 5,499 adults aged 50 and older across three waves of ELSA. Participants reported their levels of physical activity, which included light, moderate, and vigorous exercise. Cognitive function was assessed through memory, numeracy, and orientation tests, while depressive symptoms were measured using the CES-D-8 scale.

The study found that higher levels of physical activity were significantly linked to better cognitive function. Individuals who exercised more frequently performed better on memory and problem-solving tasks compared to those who were less active. However, a key finding was that this relationship was partly due to reduced depressive symptoms. The researchers determined that depression accounted for approximately 8% of the link between physical activity and cognitive function, highlighting its role as a mediating factor.

This study adds to the growing evidence that regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to maintain cognitive function. The finding that depression plays a mediating role suggests that exercise not only benefits the brain directly but also helps protect against the negative cognitive effects of poor mental health.

For policymakers, these findings reinforce the need to promote physical activity among older people. Encouraging community-based exercise programmes, improving access to green spaces, and integrating movement into daily life could have widespread benefits for both cognitive and mental health. Given the link between depression and cognitive decline, targeted interventions that combine physical activity with mental health support could be particularly effective.

Read more ELSA news here: https://www.elsa-project.ac.uk/news 

Reference

Zhang, L., Zhang, J., Chen, Q., Cai, X., Zu, L., Liu, L., Wu, X., Li, C., & Ma, F. (2025). Unraveling the link between physical activity and cognitive function: the mediating impact of depressive symptoms. BMC Public Health, 25(1265). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22410-2

Image courtesy of the Centre for Ageing Better