increasing sedentary. Whether this change is due, in part, to the
rapid development technological development, economic challenges to our society, or a host of other factors, decreases in physical activity have been associated with diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, ostoporosis and a number of different cancers. In my presentation I will cover what we currently know about physical activity and exercise and their influence on healthy minds and brains. I’ll briefly cover animal research which has elucidated the molecular and cellular mechanisms that relate physical activity to brain function and cognition. My main focus will be on human exercise research across the lifespan, covering both epidemiological and intervention studies. Finally, I will conclude with a discussion of our knowledge gaps and how we might fill them with future research.