About this Research Topic
Research demonstrates that various lifestyle behaviors play an important role in enhancing health and attenuating disease progression. For example, considerable research has evaluated the effects of habitual engagement in physical activity on cardiometabolic health and mortality. Less research, however, has examined the acute and chronic effects of exercise on neurocognitive outcomes. This is an important area of research for improving mental health outcomes and exercise behavior, as improved cognition may also precipitate behavior change. In addition, regular practice in mindfulness may not only activate brain function/attentional function, but also effectively reduce stress and improve immune function to lessen mental fatigue, which may in turn protect brain health. Additionally, healthy dietary habits, such as the regular ingestion of vegetables, soy products, fruit, and fish, are among the best approaches to optimize cognitive development in children and adolescents, and may protect against age-related cognitive decline.
For this Research Topic, we invite investigators to contribute original research articles (experimental studies are particularly encouraged), as well as review articles, that will stimulate the continuing efforts to better understand the relationship between lifestyle behaviors on cognitive function. Of particular interest to this Research Topic is the effects of exercise, dietary behavior and mindfulness on cognitive function (e.g., memory, executive function, creativity).
Although not an exhaustive list, the following are potential topics suitable for this Research Topic:
• The acute and/or chronic effects of exercise on cognitive function
• The interplay between exercise and diet on cognitive function
• The acute and chronic effects of mindfulness meditation on cognitive function
• The interactive effects of exercise and mindfulness meditation on cognitive function
• The effects of traditional and alternative forms of exercise on cognitive function
Keywords: Lifestyle, Physical activity, Dietary behavior, Mindfulness, Cognition
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
