Modulating synaptic plasticity with acute exercise and cardiorespiratory fitness in health and ageing

This thesis was motivated by evidence showing the benefits of exercise for brain plasticity - a mechanism that underlies memory, and shows a decline with ageing. A single session of exercise had an effect on plasticity in the visual area of the brain. Additionally, the boost in plasticity seen following a single session of exercise was a mechanism that explained the positive relationship between fitness and memory function in older adults. These findings show the widespread effects of exercise in the brain, and contribute to evidence of the benefits of exercise for supporting memory in ageing.