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Pumping a little iron strengthens your brain as well as your body.
RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—If you tried to bench-press the weight of scientific studies linking exercise to all sorts of health benefits, you wouldn't be able to even budge the bar. Research is constantly coming out in favor of breaking a sweat to boost your physical well-being. Working out can help prevent or beat breast cancer, and it increases survival rates of other cancers. Studies have also tied exercise to the prevention and better management of diabetes, heart disease, and chronic back pain, among other ailments.
While most of these studies explored the positive associations between exercise and your body, a new generation of research is investigating how exercise can help save your brain, too. Particularly interesting is a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine that found that resistance exercising may help minimize cognitive decline and impaired mobility in seniors. "The major takeaway is that strength-training exercises do have benefits for cognitive function," says study author Teresa Liu-Ambrose, PT, PhD, researcher at the Vancouver Coastal Health Center and assistant professor of physical therapy at the University of British Columbia in Canada.
THE DETAILS: Researchers enrolled 155 women ages 65 to 75 and randomly split them into three groups: 54 women participated in resistance training once a week, 52 women did the training twice a week, and the remaining women formed a control group that performed twice-weekly balance and toning training but no weight-lifting exercises. The women in the resistance-training sectors met in groups and used machines, free weights, and free-form exercises like squats and lunges for resistance-training workouts. After a year, the women in both the once-a-week and twice-a-week resistance-training groups significantly improved their scores on maintaining mental focus and conflict resolution. At the same time, the program improved the women's muscular function, which can better protect them from falls.
Also of note for seniors, a German study published this month found that women 65 and older who exercised for 1½ years also improved bone density while reducing their risk of falls by 66 percent.
Read on to find out how to boost your brainpower through strength training.
I exercise almost every
I exercise almost every single day with my best friend. It helps when you have an exercise buddy, because it becomes part of your routine and then it is not a chore anymore. My best friend quotes from some of the popular weight loss shows which is always hilarious.
Working out can help prevent
Working out can help prevent or beat breast cancer, and it increases survival rates of other cancers. -Nancy Alcorn
I love this
I have always felt mentally better after lifting. It always provides me with a huge mood boost and I can actually tell when it has been too long since my last workout as I get more irritable and less self-confident. So I am no stranger to the psychological benefits of strength training... but it is really cool to see some brain effects documented! I am sending this to my mom..
Benefits of exercise
Hi Liliana,
Although I'm not a medical professional, I'm responding to your question because I feel so strongly about the benefits of exercise. Your doctor may be able to answer your question, but maybe not - depending on how well-versed he or she may be on current research into the benefits of exercise. I am certified by the American Arthritis Foundation to conduct exercise classes, which I do four times a week at our church. Our classes are free and combine work on balance, flexibility, muscle strength and range of motion. We have mostly women, but a few men and the age ranges from 40 to 89! They come with all sorts of issues, both medical and emotional. This group has been in existence for just over a year and the improvement has been overwhelming. Exercise of any kind can raise your spirits, clear your thinking and improve your attitude toward life and your circumstances, not to mention the physical health benefits. I heartily recommend you giving it a try. Doing it alone is better than not doing it at all, but finding a group to join adds welcome support and socialization. If you lived in Pittsburgh, we would welcome you with open arms. But I encourage you to contact your local chapter of the American Arthritis Foundation. They may be able to direct you to a similar group in your area. Good luck and God bless!
exercise fitness and the brain
We didnt get to where we are in the food chain by being inactive. Get out get going, what ever that may be. Its up to you, its your choice.
improve brain funcion
--I'm 83, pretty healthy, aqua-jog, walk neighborhood streets, read less, but do keep up via newspapers, TV, interesting husband and friends/familymembers.
Excercise for Brain Health
I have OCD and am on medication. Will exercise help bring down the OCD too?