The Interplay Between Physical Exercise, Brain Activity, and Psychological Outcomes

The field of exercise neuroscience is rapidly evolving, with a growing body of research exploring how physical activity influences brain activity and related mental health outcomes. Exercise has been shown to elicit both immediate and long-term neurophysiological changes that are integral to cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. The interplay between physical activity, neural processes, and behavioral outcomes represents an interdisciplinary domain that integrates knowledge from neuroscience, psychology, and exercise science. However, despite advances in our understanding, significant gaps remain concerning the underlying mechanisms by which exercise modulates brain function, how these neural adaptations translate to improvements in mental health and cognitive performance, and the differential effects of various exercise modalities across populations.Recent studies leveraging neuroimaging and electrophysiological tools, such as functional MRI and EEG, have provided new insights into the acute and chronic adaptations of the brain to exercise. These investigations suggest potential modifications in cortical and subcortical structures, possible alterations in neurotransmitter systems, and changes in brain connectivity patterns. Such findings may be associated with affective regulation, reductions in symptoms of mental disorders, and improvements in cognitive performance. Nonetheless, the complexity of these relationships warrants further research, particularly studies that directly link specific patterns of neural activity to behavioral and psychological outcomes, consider individual variability, and explore the influence of different exercise intensities, durations, and types.This Research Topic aims to advance our understanding of exercise-induced neural mechanisms and their relations to mental health and exercise performance. By encouraging interdisciplinary research, we seek to uncover the specific pathways through which exercise impacts brain function and to identify novel strategies for optimizing mental and physical outcomes through physical activity.The scope of this Research Topic encompasses original research, reviews, and theoretical perspectives that investigate brain activity adaptations resulting from physical exercise across diverse populations and contexts. To gather further insights in this area, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Acute and chronic effects of exercise on brain activity measured by neuroimaging or electrophysiological techniques- Neural correlates of exercise-induced affective and cognitive changes- Differential brain responses to various forms of physical activity (e.g., aerobic, resistance, skill-based exercise)- Mechanisms linking brain activity changes to mental health outcomes and exercise performance- Methodological advances and challenges in measuring brain function during exercise- Individual differences and moderating factors (e.g., age, fitness level, clinical status) affecting neural adaptations to exerciseAppendix: Article types welcomed include original research, systematic or narrative reviews, theoretical and methodological papers, and brief reports. Topic editors: Eduardo Matta Mello Portugal, Diego Viana Gomes, Alberto Souza Sá Filho Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/77666/the-interplay-between-physical-exercise-brain-activity-and-psychological-outcomes