Regular Exercise May Lower Brain Age, Study Finds

Neurologist explains how consistent aerobic activity can benefit brain health.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 11:55am

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A recent study found that adults who engaged in 12 months of regular moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise, such as walking or biking, showed reduced brain-predicted age difference, a marker of good brain health. The study randomly divided 130 participants aged 26 to 68 into an exercise group and a control group, with the exercise group seeing an average decrease in brain age of 0.60 years compared to the control group.

Why it matters

These findings suggest that consistent exercise may be an effective way to maintain cognitive function and stave off age-related brain decline, in addition to other brain-boosting activities like puzzles and games.

The details

Researchers examined how exercise affects markers of brain health in the study participants. The exercise group engaged in 150 minutes per week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity, while the control group maintained their usual exercise routines. MRI scans at the beginning and end of the 12-month period showed that the exercise group experienced a measurable improvement in brain age compared to the control group. The study also found that the exercise group saw improved cardiorespiratory fitness, which is linked to reduced heart disease risk.

  • The 12-month study period ran from February 2025 to February 2026.
  • Participants completed baseline MRI scans at the start of the study and follow-up scans after 12 months.

The players

Jeremy M. Liff, M.D.

A board-certified neurologist in New York, NY who provided expert commentary on the study findings.

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What they’re saying

“In short, regular physical activity appears to have a measurable positive impact on brain health even in middle-aged adults.”

— Jeremy M. Liff, M.D., Neurologist (prevention.com)

“It's never too early to start exercising regularly, and waiting may mean missing out on potential brain health benefits.”

— Jeremy M. Liff, M.D., Neurologist (prevention.com)

“Consistency over time appears to matter more than intensity. Those who are currently inactive should ease into an exercise routine gradually rather than jumping straight into a full 150-minute per week regimen.”

— Jeremy M. Liff, M.D., Neurologist (prevention.com)

What’s next

The study's relatively short 12-month timeframe and focus on a relatively young participant group mean that more research is needed to understand if these brain age benefits hold true for older adults over longer periods of time.

The takeaway

This study provides promising evidence that incorporating regular moderate aerobic exercise into your routine, even if you're not an avid athlete, can have measurable benefits for brain health and may help stave off age-related cognitive decline.