Adult detraining and bedrest studies suggest cessation of physical activity can worsen cognitive performance¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · theoretical r2–r3 · q2
Currency · newest study 2025 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? A systematic review of detraining studies in older adults reported that cessation of a physical activity intervention is accompanied by worsening of cognitive performance. → Herold 2025 q2 i? Bedrest studies in younger adults reported worsening of cognitive performance after prolonged bed rest, though a recent review judged the bedrest evidence mixed and premature for robust conclusions. → Herold 2025 (2)

Evidence¶

Herold 2025¶

Herold, F., Ludyga, S., Mavilidi, M. F., Benzing, V., Vazou, S., Tomporowski, P. D., & Pesce, C. (2025). The Other Side of the Coin – A Call to Investigate the Influence of Reduced Levels of Physical Activity on Children's Cognition. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10031-5

q2 · i? · theoretical · r2

The commentary reports, citing Ferreira et al., that a systematic review of detraining studies in older adults found cessation of physical activity intervention "is accompanied by a worsening of cognitive performance". The review attributes this finding to the cited review, not to new data.

"a recent systematic review, which summarized the findings of detraining studies in older adults, reported that the cessation of a physical activity intervention (i.e., a lower level of regular physical activity in the follow-up period) is accompanied by a worsening of cognitive performance"

Herold 2025 (2)¶

Herold, F., Ludyga, S., Mavilidi, M. F., Benzing, V., Vazou, S., Tomporowski, P. D., & Pesce, C. (2025). The Other Side of the Coin – A Call to Investigate the Influence of Reduced Levels of Physical Activity on Children's Cognition. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-025-10031-5

q2 · i? · theoretical · r3

The commentary reports, citing Barkaszi et al., that a review of bedrest studies found the evidence "mixed, and too premature for robust conclusions" due to methodological heterogeneity, while a small study in younger adults reported cognitive worsening after 60 days of bed rest.

"a recent review summarizing the literature on the effects of bedrest studies on cognitive performance concluded that the current state of evidence is mixed, and too premature for robust conclusions because of the considerable methodological heterogeneity between the reviewed studies"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Pandemic-related reduction in physical activity was associated with worsened executive functioning in younger adults, with reversal upon increased activity