隨著高齡化社會的來臨，老年時，保持健康的身心狀態和維持良好的大腦認知功能已逐漸為人所重視。經常從事身體活動，除了對身體健康有許多好處之外，對減緩大腦認知功能的衰退老化也有良好的作用。自從早期研究發現身體適能較好的老人，在簡單的認知測驗之表現，往往較同年齡但身體適能較差的老人好，接著許多橫斷性和介入式研究，相繼探討老年時身體活動對大腦認知功能老化的影響作用關係。研究發現身體活動對老年時，身體整體健康和大腦認知功能都有正面效用。本文從過去文獻歸納，提出身體活動促進大腦功能，減緩老化時大腦認知功能衰退的幾個可能神經生理和心理作用機轉。此外，從回顧與整理探討身體活動、大腦健康與認知功能表現關係的相關文獻中，本文也分析討論相關研究的研究限制與不足之處，對未來相關研究，本文則提出幾個研究方法上的建議，與幾個值得繼續深入研究的課題。

To enhance brain health and to keep a sound mind in a sound body has emerged as a major concern in the coming of an aging society. In addition to numerous health benefits, frequent engagement in physical activity appears to prolong the decline of cognitive function typically associated with aging. Numerous cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have examined the effects of physical activity on cognitive performance in aging humans since earlier studies, which found that physically fit older adults performed better on simple cognitive tasks than their less-fit counterparts. Extensive research on humans suggested that physical activity could have benefits for overall health and cognitive functions, particularly in later life. In the current article, we identified a number of neurobiological and psychological mechanisms by which physical activity modifies brain function and help to reduce the deleterious effects of aging on cognitive functions and brain structures. The present article also provided a review of the human and animal literature that has investigated the relationship between physical activity, brain health and cognitive performance. We concluded with a discussion of the gap in the literature and suggestions for future research.