Environmental Affordance for Physical Activity, Neurosustainability, and Brain Health: Quantifying the Built Environment's Ability to Sustain BDNF Release by Reaching Metabolic Equivalents (METs)

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Unlike enriched environments for rodents, human-built environments often hinder neuroplasticity through sedentary lifestyles, to which exercise can merely overcome its adverse effects. This paper introduces "environmental affordance for physical activity" to quantify the potential of spatial layout designs to stimulate activity and sustain neuroplasticity, mainly hippocampal neurogenesis. Methods: A novel framework links metabolic equivalents (METs) that can be afforded by the spatial layout of the built environment to its role in increasing the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-a biomarker that promotes and sustains adult hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Equations are developed to assess the built environment's affordance for physical activity through BDNF changes measurable after brief exposure to the built environment for 20-35 min. Results: The developed equations are evidenced to be feasible to cause BDNF release through low- to moderate-intensity physical activity. This model provides a feasible assessment tool to test the built environment's effectiveness towards neurosustainability. Conclusions: By sustaining neurogenesis, the environmental affordance for physical activity holds promise for improving mental health and preventing cognitive decline.

Keywords: architectural design; brain health and cognition; built environment; environmental enrichment; exercise; neuroplasticity; spatial layout.

Figure 1

Environmental affordance for physical activity as a sustainable model for neuroplasticity.

Figure 2

Molecular mechanisms through which BDNF regulates neurogenesis and plasticity by physical activity. Environmental affordance for physical activity increases BDNF levels, which in turn activates the necessary pathways responsible for adult hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroplasticity processes.

Figure 3

Mechanisms and methods of testing environmental affordance for physical activity. Environmental affordance for physical activity increases growth factors and BDNF (saturated through the blood-brain-barrier) that regulate adult hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic integration, which leads to a long-term increase in hippocampal volume.

Figure 4

Framework and potential mixed methods for exploring visual environmental agents.

Figure 5

Summary of environmental affordance for physical activity mechanisms for adult hippocampal neurosustainability.