Background/Objectives: Aging involves a series of changes in non-pathological age-related conditions, some of which impact the cognitive functioning of older adults. Executive functions are cognitive skills that are often affected in this process, although they have been shown to improve after physical exercise interventions. This protocol aims to describe the procedures that will be carried out in a systematic literature review, including a meta-analysis of the effects of resistance interventions on the main dimensions of executive function in cognitively healthy older adults compared to active or passive control groups. Methods: The PRISMA-P guidelines will be followed. Eligibility criteria will be organized based on the PICOS strategy (older adults with normal cognition ≥60 years; chronic resistance interventions ≥4 weeks; active or passive control group; direct measures of executive function). The PubMed, EBSCO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases will be used. The risk of bias and quality of evidence will be measured using RoB2 and GRADE, respectively. The DerSimonian–Laird random effects model will be used for the meta-analysis. The effect size will be calculated using Hedges’ g with a 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05 to indicate statistical significance. Discussion: The results of the proposed review may be useful to justify the design and implementation of treatment plans based on resistance training for the prevention and management of cognitive changes typical of aging among older adults. PROSPERO registry: CRD42024571127.

Introduction: Exergames have been proposed as an innovative and accessible strategy to stimulate cognitive functions in older adults. However, available evidence has shown heterogeneous and methodologically limited findings. Objective: The aim was to evaluate the effects of chronic exergame interventions on the main dimensions of cold executive functions in cognitively healthy older adults, compared with active or passive control groups. Methodology: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Randomized and non-randomized trials lasting at least eight weeks were included if they compared exergames with control groups and reported pre- and post-intervention measures of executive functions using validated instruments. Searches were conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL Complete. Results: Ten studies were included, applying programs through platforms such as Nintendo Wii, Xbox Kinect, and Nintendo Switch. The meta-analysis revealed very small and non-significant effects on working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition, with moderate to high heterogeneity across studies. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the results. Discussion: The findings partially coincided with previous reviews, although differences in duration, intensity, and type of exergame explained the heterogeneity. It was highlighted that, despite their limited cognitive effectiveness, exergames offer motivational and adherence benefits. Conclusions: Exergames may specifically benefit inhibition in older adults, while effects on working memory and cognitive flexibility remain uncertain.

Background: Forest therapy has been proposed as a non-pharmacological intervention with potential benefits for cognitive functioning, particularly attentional and executive processes. Objective: To systematically synthesize the available evidence on the cognitive effects of forest therapy in cognitively healthy adults. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Experimental studies assessing objective cognitive outcomes after forest therapy interventions were included. Results: Nine studies were included. Preliminary positive trends were observed in attentional performance, autonomic relaxation, and psychological/affective states. Evidence regarding processing speed and executive flexibility remains sparse and non-significant. Findings were constrained by high risk of bias, small samples, and heterogeneity. Conclusion: Forest therapy provides preliminary, low-certainty evidence for attentional recovery and emotional regulation within cognitive-behavioral frameworks. Current findings are hypothesis-generating and require confirmation through rigorous, pre-registered randomized trials.

Introduction: Population aging is associated with progressive declines in both muscular and cognitive function. Multicomponent exercise programs are widely recommended; however, the specific contribution of muscle quality, beyond mere muscle mass, to cognitive outcomes remains a critical gap in current evidence. Objective: The aim was to systematically review and synthesize the effects of multicomponent resistance-based exercise interventions on cognition and indicators of muscle quality in older adults, highlighting the role of the muscle-brain axis as a central explanatory factor. Methodology: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL Complete. Clinical trials evaluating chronic multicomponent exercise interventions with resistance training as a central component were included. Outcomes involved executive functions, while muscular emphasized strength, power, and functional performance as indicators of muscle quality. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB-2 tool. Results: Eight randomized controlled trials were included. Most studies reported improvements in executive functions, particularly inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility, alongside concurrent gains in muscular strength and power. Associations with cognitive outcomes were more consistent for muscle quality indicators than for muscle mass. Discussion: Findings suggest that neuromuscular demands play a relevant role in mediating cognitive benefits. This highlights that functional adaptations may be more determinant for cognitive health than quantitative changes in muscle volume. Conclusions: Multicomponent resistance-based exercise supports executive functioning, with muscle quality emerging as a key factor for designing more precise clinical interventions.