A new study, led by Isadora Ribeiro, PhD, of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil, has provided inspiring and promising news. It shows promise that weight training can provide significant advantages to older adults susceptible to dementia. As a recipient of the doctoral fellowship scholarship from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), Ribeiro made an important contribution by publishing her findings in the journal GeroScience. She detailed how resistance training improves cognitive health and benefits brain structure.
The research included healthy senior participants conducting a supervised weight training program for six months. Ribeiro saw significant increases in verbal episodic memory for those who followed the exercise plan. She further found that these teens had enhanced neuronal connections. They observed increases in regions of the brain traditionally associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Ribeiro shed spotlight on the applicability of her research. She explained, “Studies have found that higher muscle strength is associated with a reduced risk of developing dementia and better cognitive performance. Understanding the impact of resistance training on the brain structure of older adults at risk for developing dementia is an innovative and important research direction.
Through her research, Ribeiro has brought to light the physiological mechanisms behind these cognitive benefits. She emphasized that weight training is the best way to reduce inflammation and increase insulin sensitivity. Moreover, it increases production of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which are critical for neuron growth and maintenance.
“Weight training can reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, and increase levels of neurotrophic factors like BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which support the growth and survival of neurons. It also improves cardiovascular health and cerebral blood flow, all of which are important for maintaining brain function,” – Isadora Ribeiro, PhD.
These results indicate that resistance training improves cognitive function. It appears to protect against the deterioration of brain areas associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Ribeiro’s finding was particularly thrilling. He argued that in addition to improving cognition, weight training can prevent atrophy in brain areas associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This can slow progression and possibly even prevent dementia at all.
This major new study is consistent with mounting evidence from past research that has already sparked a strong link between increased physical activity and overall cognitive health. In the past, most research was concentrated on aerobic exercise, but Ribeiro’s research shows that strength training provides the same positive impact.
“These findings are consistent with previous research in animals and humans showing that strength training improves cognitive abilities,” – Small.
Ribeiro’s study shows that there is a long way to go. It encourages the need to incorporate the larger participant population and varied demographics. This transformative moment highlighted the importance of educating the public on the benefits of resistance training. With proper tailoring, it is proven to keep older adults both safe and effective.
“I think we want to see (this study) in larger numbers, in both men and women, in people with other medical conditions, to make sure that we’re not putting people at risk when they’re undergoing these types of exercise regimens,” – Cutler.
Ribeiro’s study paves the way for future approaches to combat cognitive decline that comes with aging. She shows how resistance training results in more dramatic, structural anatomical changes to the brain. She hopes this will lay the groundwork for more focused, multi-stakeholder approaches to improving cognitive health among aging communities.
She concluded with optimism about the future of resistance training as a viable intervention for cognitive health. “The present study demonstrates similar benefits from strength training. It is never too late to begin a strength training program — older adults often experience tremendous benefits.”
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