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Sleep and physical activity are modifiable behaviours linked to pain. Sleep disturbance often co-occurs with persistent pain and may contribute to its development. Exercise is a first-line treatment for chronic pain. Previous work showed that sleep disturbance worsens and prolongs postinjury pain behaviours, exercise mitigates these effects, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor may play a mechanistic role. Deeper insight requires a broader assessment of pain behaviours and systemic biomarkers related to inflammation, tissue repair, and neuromodulation. This study addresses these gaps. Twenty-nine adult female Sprague-Dawley rats performed an intensive lever-pulling task for 4 weeks to induce overuse injury and then underwent one of three 4-week interventions: intermittent sleep disturbance, voluntary exercise (via access to a running wheel), or both. Pain-related behaviours and 71 blood analytes were measured immediately preinjury, postinjury, and postintervention. Overuse injury decreased grip strength and increased mechanical sensitivity in the injured forepaws. After cessation of the injury inducing task, these changes persisted with sleep disturbance but recovered to, or exceeded, preinjury levels with exercise, even with concurrent sleep disturbance. Biomarker analyses revealed distinct neuroimmune responses to injury and sleep disturbance, particularly mediators of inflammation and neuroplasticity, that were offset by exercise. Correlations between biomarkers and behavioural outcomes support mechanistic links between injury, sleep, exercise, and recovery. Findings demonstrate that postinjury sleep disturbance induces neuroimmune changes that increase persistent pain vulnerability, whereas aerobic exercise counters these effects. This highlights the interaction between sleep and exercise in recovery and their potential as strategies to prevent and manage chronic pain. Show less

With a global annual cumulative incidence of depression at 4.5% in community-dwelling older adults, understanding non-pharmacological interventions is essential. This narrative review explores the neuroprotective mechanisms of physical activity (PA) on brain function and mental health in individuals aged 60 and older. We conducted a search across multiple databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE) using keywords related to aging, cognition, and physical activity. Our analysis of relevant studies shows that PA benefits the brain through several pathways. Early findings focused on improved cerebral blood flow and glucose utilization. More recent evidence highlights that PA increases neurotrophic factors like BDNF and IGF-1, enhances mood-regulating neurotransmitters, and promotes structural adaptations in key brain regions. These findings suggest that PA is a cost-effective, multi-domain intervention. This review provides healthcare professionals with actionable evidence to incorporate PA into clinical practice for older adults. Show less

Individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders experience impairments across multiple domains, including cognition, quality of life, and social functioning. Structured exercise interventions may improve these outcomes. We hypothesised that aerobic and combined (aerobic plus resistance) exercise programs would enhance cognitive function, reduce symptom severity, and improve well-being. A PRISMA-guided search of PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SciELO, and ClinicalTrials.gov (2009-2024) identified 17 randomized controlled trials. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses examined age and gender. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2, publication bias with Egger's test, and certainty of evidence through GRADE. Structured exercise produced a moderate-to-large improvement in overall well-being (SMD = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.43-0.93; p < .001). Significant benefits were also observed in cognition (SMD = 0.59), symptom severity (SMD = 0.71), quality of life (SMD = 0.60), and social functioning (SMD = 0.55). Age and gender moderated treatment effects, with the strongest benefits in males and individuals aged 36-45. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of results. Mechanistic evidence suggests that improvements may be mediated through increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and reduced inflammatory signaling. Structured exercise is an effective adjunctive intervention for schizophrenia spectrum disorders, improving psychiatric and functional outcomes beyond standard care. Findings support the integration of personalized, scalable exercise programs within routine psychiatric treatment. Show less

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition marked by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. This narrative review examines the effects of various exercise modalities on ADHD symptoms, based on recent meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials with a focus on children and adolescents published between 2015 and 2025. Exercise modalities categorized as aerobic, open-skill, closed-skill, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and cognitively demanding activities were examined in recent meta-analyses and clinical trials. Closed-skill exercises like swimming and yoga reduced hyperactivity and impulsivity, while open-skill sports improved attention. HIIT and cognitively engaging tasks enhanced executive function and increased neurochemicals such as BDNF and catecholamines. HIIT shows promise when intensity is individualized and recovery is adequate. Preliminary mechanistic links include catecholamine and BDNF modulation; PI3K-pathways remain hypothesis-generating. Although optimal exercise parameters remain to be determined, accumulating evidence supports the role of structured physical activity as a feasible and effective adjunct to conventional treatment. While many programs involved ~2-3 sessions/week for ≥30 min, heterogeneity in protocols and study quality precludes universal prescriptions. Future trials should report adherence, ADHD-specific outcomes, and risk-of-bias controls. Show less