Physical Activity, Cerebral Blood Flow, and Cognition: A Biomedical Perspective

Sammanfattning

Physical activity is known to provide a wide range of benefits at both individual and societal levels. A single session of physical activity can produce measurable effects on cognitive performance, while regular exercise can prevent several diseases, improve mental health, and enhance overall quality of life. This thesis was conducted as a systematic literature review with the aim of synthesizing current evidence on how physical activity influences cognitive functions and its association with cerebral blood flow. The review focused on healthy young adults aged 18–35 years and included both acute and long‑term effects. Scientific literature was identified through searches in PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science. The final search yielded more than 3000 publications, of which seven met the inclusion criteria.The reviewed literature shows a consistent pattern in which physical activity increases cerebral blood flow and improves cognitive performance. However, the relationship between cerebral blood flow and cognition remains unclear. Current evidence suggests that cerebral blood flow alone is unlikely to fully explain exercise‑induced cognitive improvements. Instead, biomarkers such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and metabolic factors such as lactate appear to play an important role. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms linking physical activity, cerebral blood flow, and cognitive performance.