Resistance Training May Promote Cognitive Skills

In that previous studies have shown that cognitive decline among seniors may be countered by specific exercise training regimens, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, from University of British Columbia (Canada), and colleagues assessed a group of 155 community-dwelling women, ages 65 to 75 years, randomly assigning each to engage in once-weekly or twice-weekly resistance training, or twice-weekly balance and tone training (control group).  Improvements to cognitive function were measured via the subjects’ performance on the Stroop test, an executive cognitive test of selective attention and conflict resolution, as well as other tests of executive cognitive function; gait speed, muscular function, and whole-brain volume were also secondary outcome measures.  The team found that both resistance training groups significantly improved their performance on the Stroop test compared with those in the balance and tone group.  While task performance improved by 12.6% in the once-weekly resistance training group and by 10.9% in the twice-weekly resistance group, it deteriorated by 0.5% in the balance and tone group. Additionally, both resistance training groups demonstrated reductions in whole-brain volume compared with the balance and tone group at the end of the study. The researchers conclude that: “Twelve months of once-weekly or twice-weekly resistance training benefited the executive cognitive function of selective attention and conflict resolution among senior women.”