en Cellular and molecular Neuroscience Cellular and molecular Neuroscience Original Original <strong>Introduction</strong>: A sequence of time-dependent changes can affect the brain&rsquo;s functional capacity.<br> This study aimed at investigating the effects of Forced Aerobic Exercise (FAE) versus the Rosemary Extract (RE) on the learning abilities and oxidative stress modulation in rats.<br> <strong>Methods</strong>: Young and old rats received daily FAE and RE for 3 months. Using the Passive Avoidance (PA) test, we evaluated the learning and memory of the rats by Step-Through Latency (STL) score. We measured the Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), Catalase (CATA), Malondialdehyde (MDA) enzymes levels, and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in the hippocampus<br> <strong>Results</strong>: FAE could significantly increase the STL score (P<0.001) among old rats similar to the rosemary extract consumption. The SOD, GPx, and CATA enzyme activities and the level of TAC significantly increased by the treatments (exercise: P<0.001 for SOD and TAC and P<0.05 for CATA, exercise/rosemary: P<0.001 for all enzymes, and rosemary: P<0.01 for SOD and TAC). Furthermore, the MDA level significantly decreased by the treatments (exercise and exercise/rosemary: P<0.001, rosemary: P<0.01). The partial Pearson test revealed the significant positive correlations between the score of STL (day 2) with the SOD (P<0.01) and TAC (P<0.05) levels and negative correlations between the MDA level and STL score in both days (P<0.05 for the first day and P<0.001 for the second day).<br> <strong>Conclusion</strong>: Similar to the rosemary extract, FAE could increase the working memory and antioxidants activity in old rats in 3 months.&nbsp; Cognition, Antiox idant, Enzymes, Aerobic exercise, Aging 361 372 http://bcn.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-2139-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Homa Rasoolijazi hjaz.2010@yahoo.com 13700319475328460035973 13700319475328460035973 Yes Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Sattar Norouzi Ofogh zenon1366@gmail.com 13700319475328460035974 13700319475328460035974 No Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Shima Ababzadeh shimaababzadeh@gmail.com 13700319475328460035975 13700319475328460035975 No Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Mehdi Mehdizadeh Mehdizadeh.m@iums.ac.ir 13700319475328460035976 13700319475328460035976 No Cellular & Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Fatemeh Shabkhiz shabkhiz@ut.ac.ir 13700319475328460035977 13700319475328460035977 No Department of Neuroscience, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.