Physical activity and hippocampal volume in young adults

Abstract Evidence from previous studies suggests that physical activity may contribute to a functional and structural hippocampal change throughout the lifespan. However, there is little evidence available in the young adult population. In addition, the personality traits that may influence this association remain unclear. With a sample of 84 young adults (43 girls; age 22.7 ± 2.8y), the main aim of the current study was to analyze the association between objective and self-reported measures of daily physical activity and hippocampal gray matter volume, and to examine the role of the personality trait of punishment sensitivity in this association. Our results showed that only vigorous levels of objectively measured physical activity (but not moderate or light) were positively associated with hippocampal volume and negatively with the personality trait of punishment sensitivity. Moreover, self-reported measures of total and vigorous physical activity were only associated with the personality measures, but not with the hippocampus volume. Thus, our data suggest that vigorous physical activity may contribute to enhancing the hippocampal volume in young adults.