Strength training can benefit people with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Mild Cognitive Impairment defines people who have noticeably reduced cognitive abilities such as reduced memory but are still able to live independently, and is a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease.
Findings from the Study of Mental and Resistance Training (SMART) trial show a positive causal link between muscle adaptations to progressive resistance training and the functioning of the brain among those over 55 with MCI.
The trial was conducted in collaboration with the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing at University of New South Wales and University of Adelaide.
“What we found in this follow up study is that the improvement in cognition function was related to their muscle strength gains”said lead author Dr Yorgi Mavros, from the Faculty of Health Sciences, at University of Sydney. “The stronger people became, the greater the benefit for their brain.” gradually increasing muscle strength through activities such as weightlifting improves cognitive function.
The study was conducted in collaboration with the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at the University of New South Wales and the University of Adelaide.
The trial consisted of a Study of Mental and Resistance Training (SMART) carried out on patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) between 55-68 years old. Patients with MCI have a higher risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.