Resistance Training Shows Promise for Brain Health in Older Women
Resistance training reduces white matter damage in the brain, with stronger benefits for women - potentially opening new paths for preventing cognitive decline.
Resistance training helps protect brain health in older adults with early cognitive problems, working particularly well for women.
A new study brings good news for protecting brain health as we age - and particularly for women. Researchers found that resistance training, like weight lifting, can reduce damage to the brain's white matter. This matters because white matter damage often leads to memory and thinking problems.
The study looked at 74 older adults (average age 74) who already showed early signs of cognitive decline and changes in their brain scans. Half did resistance training while the other half did balance exercises for 12 months.
Key findings:
- Women who did resistance training showed less white matter damage
- Men didn't see the same level of benefits
- The improvements showed up most in areas of the brain involved in memory and processing
- The exercise program lasted 12 months
If you're concerned about keeping your brain healthy as you age, adding resistance training to your routine could help - especially if you're female. This doesn't mean men shouldn't exercise, but it suggests women may get extra brain-protection benefits.
The implications are significant. We now have evidence that simple resistance training could help protect against cognitive decline, particularly in women who are more at risk for certain types of brain changes. This opens up new possibilities for prevention strategies that are accessible and drug-free.
