Over-55’s with a Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) can boost their brain function by building up muscle strength, according to a new study by the UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) and the Universities of Sydney and Adelaide.
MCI is known to increase the chances of getting dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. People with it generally have reduced cognitive abilities, but are still able to live independently.
So how did the researchers get their results?
Brain and brawn
The trial, which involved 100 people with MCI aged between 55 and 86, divided participants into four groups doing either: resistance exercise and computerised cognitive training; resistance exercise and a placebo computerised training (watching nature videos); brain training and a placebo exercise program (seated stretching/calisthenics); or placebo physical exercise and placebo cognitive training.
Participants doing the resistance exercise did weight lifting sessions twice a week for six months, always working to at least 80 per cent of their peak strength.
Their findings? “The stronger people became, the greater the benefit for their brain.” lead author Dr Yorgi Mavrou, from the Faculty of Health Sciences at University of Sydney, said.
Time to pump some iron?
Interestingly, the benefits lasted well beyond the exercise sessions, showing up a year after the trial finished. The cognitive training and placebo activities offered no improvement.
“The more we can get people doing resistance training like weight lifting, the more likely we are to have a healthier ageing population,” Dr Mavrou says.
“The key however is to make sure you are doing it frequently, at least twice a week, and at a high intensity so that you are maximising your strength gains. This will give you the maximum benefit for your brain.”
Every day, we read about another study that promises to help fight dementia. Reading between the lines, this one is real. Pumping iron will make a difference to your brain.
It’s welcome news, especially after our story here last week.
Still not sure about picking up the weights? Just remember – the oldest weight lifter in the trial was 80 so it’s never too late to get started.
