Key points from article :
A major new study led by Dr. Ben Singh at the University of South Australia has shown that any kind of regular exercise—whether it's walking, yoga, or even playing active video games—can significantly improve brain function and memory across all age groups. Published as the largest umbrella review of its kind, the research synthesised data from 133 systematic reviews, covering 2,724 clinical trials and over 258,000 participants.
The findings reveal that low- to moderate-intensity exercise delivers the greatest mental boost, with children and teens seeing the biggest improvements in memory and individuals with ADHD experiencing marked gains in focus and executive function. Surprisingly, activities like Tai Chi, yoga, and exergames (such as Pokémon Go) showed the strongest positive effects on cognition, making brain-boosting workouts accessible and engaging for all.
According to Dr. Singh, benefits can be seen in as little as 1–3 months, showing that even short bursts of activity can make a big difference. Co-author Professor Carol Maher adds that the research provides a compelling case for integrating exercise into public health and education systems as a strategy to combat cognitive decline and enhance lifelong brain health.
