A groundbreaking study conducted at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in São Paulo, Brazil, has revealed that weight training not only enhances physical health but also offers significant protection for the brains of older individuals at risk of dementia. Published in the journal GeroScience, the research underscores the potential of strength training as a non-pharmacological intervention to combat cognitive decline.
The study focused on 44 individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition that lies between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease, characterized by an accelerated decline in memory and cognitive function. Over a six-month period, participants engaged in bi-weekly weight training sessions, which led to notable improvements in both memory performance and brain anatomy.
Key findings from the study indicated that strength training helped protect the hippocampus and precuneus—regions of the brain linked to Alzheimer’s—from atrophy. Additionally, the participants exhibited improved white matter integrity, a marker of neuronal health.
“We anticipated physical improvements, but the cognitive benefits were remarkable,” said Isadora Ribeiro, the study’s lead author. “This research shows that weight training is a powerful tool in the fight against dementia, even for those already at a heightened risk.”
Conducted as part of the Brazilian Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (BRAINN), the study is the first to assess the effects of weight training on the white matter integrity of individuals with MCI. Through a combination of neuropsychological tests and MRI scans conducted at the beginning and end of the study, researchers found compelling evidence that strength training can protect the brain from neurodegeneration.
Marcio Balthazar, a BRAINN researcher and supervisor of the study, emphasized the implications for public health: “The findings underscore the importance of incorporating physical educators into primary healthcare systems. Strength training is a simple, cost-effective approach to reducing dementia risk compared to expensive treatments like anti-amyloid drugs, which can cost up to USD 30,000 annually.”
The research protocol involved dividing participants into two groups: one underwent twice-weekly resistance training sessions, while the other served as a control group with no exercise. Results at the end of the study showed that those who participated in strength training had better verbal episodic memory, preserved brain areas, and improved neuronal health. In contrast, the control group experienced worsened brain health.
Ribeiro highlighted the significance of these results: “Mild cognitive impairment is typically associated with volume loss in key brain regions. However, the weight training group showed that the hippocampus and precuneus were protected from atrophy, emphasizing the importance of regular physical activity for older adults.”
Researchers believe that extending the duration of the training could yield even more positive outcomes. “We observed substantial improvements in memory and brain structure, with five participants showing such marked progress that they no longer met the clinical criteria for MCI by the end of the study,” Ribeiro said. “If this trend continues, prolonged training could potentially delay or even reverse the progression to dementia.”
Balthazar further explained that weight training could benefit the brain by stimulating the production of neural growth factors and reducing inflammation, both of which are crucial in protecting neurons and maintaining cognitive function. “Exercise increases levels of irisin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), substances that enhance neuronal health and plasticity, while also reducing the inflammatory responses associated with neurodegeneration,” he added.
The study’s results have laid the groundwork for future research, with Ribeiro and her team planning to investigate how these biochemical factors contribute to the observed brain changes. “Our ongoing work aims to deepen our understanding of how weight training triggers anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective mechanisms, which in turn promote brain health,” she concluded.
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