Evidence on effects of physical activities upon cognition, mood and physical functions The health values of physical activities are well recognized. Physical activities can be performed by anybody at any time and place at minimal cost. Physical activities are shown to improve the clinical conditions associated with SVD. For cognition, physical activities are associated with reduced risk of cognitive decline in normal and cognitively impaired elderly persons. Aerobic and strength training improved executive functions, memory and general cognitive functions in community-dwelling adults with mild cognitive impairment. The investigators showed that in a large cohort (n=1,013) of stroke patients free of dementia before the stroke, participation in regular physical activities reduced 79% of risk of incident dementia after stroke. With regard to the mechanism, physical activities may improve endothelial functions and blood perfusion and neuroplasticity in brain regions mediating cognitive functions. Moreover, physical exercise may protect cognition by reducing incident strokes, which is particular relevant to people with SVD due to their increased risk of strokes. A randomized controlled trial (RCT) showed that a 24-week, 3 x 50-minute per week of moderate intensity exercise intervention significantly improved cognitive functions in patients at risk of AD, with outcome effect size superior to that reported for drug treatment in another study. Moreover, treatment benefits persisted at least one year after active intervention, suggesting that physical exercise is associated with enduring changes in the neurological substrate underpinning cognitive functioning. However, this study only recruited patients likely to have degenerative (Alzheimer's) pathology. For mood, physical activities may protect against depression in older adults. For physical functions, the investigators previously showed that physical exercise training improved balance, gait performance, exercise endurance and quality of life in local patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Taken together, there is good evidence that physical activities can improve many of the negative consequences of cerebral SVD.