Physical activity has emerged as one of the most potent behavioral interventions influencing brain function, learning, memory, and a wide range of cognitive and emotional processes. Over the past decade, a growing body of evidence from human and animal studies has demonstrated that regular physical activity induces structural and functional plasticity in key brain regions such as the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum. These adaptations include enhanced neurogenesis, synaptic remodeling, angiogenesis, neurotransmitter regulation, and improved metabolic efficiency, mechanisms that are strongly implicated in learning, memory consolidation, executive functioning, and self-regulation.

Recent advances have highlighted how physical activity modulates neurobiological pathways involving brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling, dopaminergic and glutamatergic transmission, mitochondrial biogenesis, and large-scale network connectivity. Longitudinal neuroimaging studies now show that even moderate physical activity can alter functional coupling within cognitive control and default-mode networks. Moreover, experimental research using wearable technology and ecological momentary assessment has revealed that acute physical activity episodes can produce immediate benefits in attention, working memory, and affective regulation.

Despite these advances, important gaps remain. First, the mechanistic specificity linking different forms of physical activity to distinct cognitive and behavioral outcomes is not fully understood. Second, individual variability, including genetic, developmental, and psychosocial moderators, remains insufficiently studied. Third, the translation of laboratory findings to real-world behavioral change is still limited, particularly with respect to adherence, dose–response relationships, and contextual influences. Addressing these gaps is scientifically and societally important. Understanding how physical activity shapes neural and cognitive functioning can refine theories of learning and memory, improve interventions for mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders, and inform education and public-health strategies aimed at enhancing cognitive resilience and psychological well-being across the lifespan.

In this Research Topic, we are looking to address key aspects of how physical activity influences brain function, cognitive processes, and behavioral outcomes in order to promote discussion around this topic and to increase our understanding of the neural and psychological mechanisms underlying movement-related plasticity. The collection seeks to clarify dose-response relationships, identify individual and contextual moderators, and highlight translational applications for education, mental health, and neurorehabilitation. By bringing together interdisciplinary evidence, this Research Topic will foster deeper insights into how physical activity can be strategically leveraged to optimize learning, memory, and adaptive behavior.

We particularly welcome submissions of Original Research, Clinical Trial, Review, Systematic Review, and Perspective articles on the following sub-topics:

• Neural mechanisms through which physical activity influences learning, memory, cognitive control, and associated behavioral adaptations.

• Acute and chronic effects of physical activity on attention, working memory, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and related health- and risk-related behaviors.

• Moderators and mediators, including genetic, psychological, environmental, and socio-behavioral factors that influence individual responsiveness to physical activity.

• Intervention approaches using exercise-based programs to enhance cognition, improve mental health, and modify maladaptive behavioral patterns or prevent cognitive decline.

• Dose–response relationships through which frequency, intensity, duration, and type of exercise differentially shape cognitive and behavioral outcomes in modern society, such as mobile phone addiction and problematic screen use.

• Cognitive and behavioral developmental trajectories across full lifecycle that reveal sensitive periods for exercise-induced neuroplasticity.

• Methodological innovations enabling the study of exercise-induced plasticity and behavioral outcomes, including neuroimaging, computational modeling, ecological assessments, and multimodal biomarkers.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Unraveling the role of physical activity in brain function, cognitive processes, and behavioral outcomes