Background
The cognitive flexibility, working memory, inhibition and other advanced functions of the brain decline year by year after the age of 20. These declines are usually accompanied by the shrinkage of brain structural regions such as the lateral prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. The current research results show that physical activity proved to improve the cognitive function of the brain by affecting the expression level of neurotransmitters in the body and delaying the atrophy of some functional areas of the brain.

Objective
This paper discusses the relationship between different types of exercise and brain structure and function, analyzes the classification methods of aerobic, anaerobic and coordinated exercise, discusses the benefits of sports intervention from the perspective of functional MRI images, neuroendocrine and event-related potentials, and combs out the theoretical basis system of the relationship between sports activities and cognitive function.
Method
Through a large number of literature collection, the words "exercise, sport, cognitive function, brain plastics" and other words were searched in the web of science, PubMed, CNKI Chinese database, and the corresponding inclusion criteria were established according to the research needs to screen the final documents.
Result

① the volume of hippocampal gyrus, prefrontal lobe and basal ganglia was larger in the athletes with higher physical fitness level or regular physical activity; ② There is a positive relationship between physical activity and cognitive function related to brain structure. ③ Physical activity can promote the executive function of healthy people at different ages, children and elderly people with cognitive impairment. The above changes may be related to the increase of blood volume in brain functional areas and insulin-like growth factor endocrine substances promoted by physical activity.