New research led by the University of Sydney (Australia) has found that gradually increasing muscle strength through physical activities such as weight lifting improves cognitive function . The results have been published in The Journal of American Geriatrics.
The trial included a study of mental and endurance training ( SMART ) conducted in patients with mild cognitive impairment aged between 55 and 68 years of age. These patients are at increased risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The findings are particularly significant, given the high incidence of dementia and Alzheimer’s among the elderly, with more than 47 million people worldwide suffering from Alzheimer’s , according to the 2016 World Alzheimer Report.
The study examined 100 older adults with mild cognitive impairment, of which 80% of those diagnosed go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease. For the trial, patients were divided into four groups and assigned to a range of activities that included a combination of resistance exercises – including weight lifting – or the control group that remained seated. Computerized cognitive training and its placebo equivalent were also part of the experiment.
The placebo activities did not produce cognitive improvements as expected. However, the study showed a proportional relationship between improved brain function and improved muscle strength.
“What we found in this follow-up study is that the improvement in cognition function was related to their gains in muscle strength. The stronger the patient became, the greater the benefit to his brain, ”explained Yorgi Mavros, leader of the work.
“The more we can get people to do resistance training like weight lifting, the more likely we are to have a healthier aging population. The key, however, is to make sure we do it frequently, at least twice a week . This will give us the maximum benefit for our brain ”, concludes Mavros.
This is the first time that a study has shown a clear causal relationship between increased muscle strength and improved brain function in patients over 55 with mild cognitive impairment.
