Physical Activity Across the Lifespan: Mechanisms, Interventions and Cognitive Function
A special issue of Brain Sciences (ISSN 2076-3425). This special issue belongs to the section "Behavioral Neuroscience".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 October 2026 | Viewed by 1775
Special Issue Editors
Interests: ageing; healthcare technology; movement behavior; cognitive development; gerontology; memory; mild cognitive impairment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: physical activity; physical health; child growth; cognitive functioning
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Physical activity is increasingly recognised as a potent modifiable lifestyle factor for brain health and cognitive function. This Special Issue invites high-quality contributions exploring how movement, exercise, and physical activity influence cognition and brain processes across the lifespan, in both healthy and clinical populations. We are interested in mechanistic studies (neuroplasticity, vascular adaptations, myokines/exerkines, inflammation), interventional research (acute bouts, long-term programmes, real-world movement), and translational work (implementation, dose/duration/type, moderators/mediators). Methodologically advanced designs, such as neuroimaging, wearables and ecological monitoring, and electrophysiology, and biomarker studies are particularly welcome. Lifespan perspectives from childhood/adolescence through mid-life to older adults and contexts including neurodegenerative risk, cognitive decline, and combined physical and cognitive training are encouraged. The goal is to synthesise emerging evidence, deepen mechanistic understanding, and identify pathways for applying physical activity to optimise cognitive health.
Dr. Daniele Magistro
Prof. Dr. Simon Cooper
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Brain Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- physical activity
- cognitive function
- brain health
- neuroplasticity
- lifespan
- intervention
- sedentary behaviour
- wearable monitoring
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
