A new study suggests that weight training could play a vital role in protecting the brains of older adults from dementia, including those already showing signs of mild cognitive impairment. Published in the journal GeroScience, the research highlights weight training’s potential in reducing the risk of cognitive decline and even reversing mild cognitive impairment.
Dementia, which impacts memory and thinking skills, affects approximately 57 million people worldwide. As the number of people aging without dementia rises, scientists are searching for ways to delay or prevent its onset, especially through non-medical strategies like exercise.
Led by Isadora Ribeiro, PhD, of the State University of Campinas in Brazil, the study involved 44 adults over 55 years old with mild cognitive impairment. The participants were divided into two groups: one group performed moderate-to-high intensity weight training twice a week, while the other group did not exercise at all. After six months, the results were promising for those in the weight training group.
Ribeiro explains, “Resistance training aims to improve muscle strength, which is essential for older adults. Strength has been linked to a lower risk of dementia, and examining its effects on brain anatomy in those at risk is key.” The study found that weight training improved verbal memory and reinforced neurons in brain areas related to Alzheimer’s disease. In contrast, the control group showed signs of worsened brain function.
The study revealed that weight training improved the integrity of brain white matter, crucial for communication between brain regions responsible for memory and attention. The researchers also noted that five participants in the weight training group no longer had mild cognitive impairment by the end of the study, indicating that exercise may delay or even prevent dementia’s progression.
Ribeiro noted that weight training’s benefits extend beyond muscle strength. It helps reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, and increase neurotrophic factors like BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which supports neuron growth and survival. These physiological changes reduce key risk factors for dementia, such as obesity and cardiovascular disease, while enhancing brain plasticity and neuroprotection.
Gary Small, MD, an expert in cognitive health, praised the findings, adding that strength training can improve cognitive abilities and overall quality of life for older adults. He emphasized that it’s never too late to begin strength training and that older adults often experience significant benefits, including increased stamina, energy, and reduced fall risk.
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