Resistance Exercise Reduces Cognitive Decline (Article)

[WillBrink]

Hot off the presses, an article I wrote for the LEF magazine that focuses on the cognitive benefits of exercise, in particular, resistance exercise:


Resistance Exercise Reduces Cognitive Decline

By Will Brink

When we think of the benefits of exercise, we tend to think of its ability to reduce cardiovascular disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and control weight.

Research is now proving that exercise is also crucial for preserving and enhancing brain function as we age.1-8

Studies show that exercise inhibits neurodegenerative diseases and even promotes neurogenesis—the creation of new brain cells.1-4

While most forms of exercise are associated with improved cognition, some forms may be superior to others in that respect. A newly released study demonstrates that resistance exercise or weight training, rather than aerobic exercise, has a greater impact on cognitive function.9

In this article, you will learn how exercise—especially strength-training exercise—can enhance cognition and memory and protect against age-related cognitive decline.

For aging individuals, exercise is associated with an array of benefits that support longer lifespan.10 One recent study supports its connection to protecting and enhancing brain function.

In October 2016, scientists released the findings of a large randomized, double-blind, controlled trial that investigated the effects of resistance training on cognitive function in older adults.9 Resistance training, also called strength training, is exercise that uses weights, machines, bands, or other devices that work key muscle groups.

Previous studies had already shown the cognitive benefits of exercise, but this time the researchers wanted to determine whether the cognitive improvements occurred as a result of increased aerobic capacity or increased muscle strength.9

The study included 100 participants age 55 and over with mild cognitive impairment. Each was randomly assigned to either a sham version or a legitimate version of a progressive program of resistance training for two to three days per week. They also received computerized cognitive training.9

Although the program improved both whole-body muscle strength and aerobic capacity, the study team found that only the enhanced strength scores—but not the enhanced aerobic scores—were significantly associated with improvements in cognition.9

While the exact reason for these beneficial effects remains unknown, it is clear that it is the strength-related gains from resistance exercise that cause its cognitive benefits.9

Cont:

http://www.lifeextension.com/Magazin...ecline/Page-01

[FlyingHunter]

Well done Will. One our hospital DPT interns was sharing the article below during a recent presentation. In a nutshell, healthy blood flow = healthy tissue function at both micro and macro levels. Next Gen research and in fact practice, includes stem cells inserted directly into the brain to improve lost neural function post stroke etc...Example: https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-ne...-patients.html

From:

Molecular Psychiatry (2015) 20, 585–593; doi:10.1038/mp.2014.114; published online 14 October 2014

Vascular hippocampal plasticity after aerobic exercise in older adults

Aerobic exercise in young adults can induce vascular plasticity in the hippocampus, a critical region for recall and recognition memory. In a mechanistic proof-of-concept intervention over 3 months, we investigated whether healthy older adults (60–77 years) also show such plasticity. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and volume (rCBV) were measured with gadolinium-based perfusion imaging (3 Tesla magnetic resonance image (MRI)). Hippocampal volumes were assessed by high-resolution 7 Tesla MRI. Fitness improvement correlated with changes in hippocampal perfusion and hippocampal head volume. Perfusion tended to increase in younger, but to decrease in older individuals. The changes in fitness, hippocampal perfusion and volume were positively related to changes in recognition memory and early recall for complex spatial objects.

[WillBrink]

Well done Will. One our hospital DPT interns was sharing the article below during a recent presentation. In a nutshell, healthy blood flow = healthy tissue function at both micro and macro levels. Next Gen research and in fact practice, includes stem cells inserted directly into the brain to improve lost neural function post stroke etc...Example: https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-ne...-patients.html

From:

Molecular Psychiatry (2015) 20, 585–593; doi:10.1038/mp.2014.114; published online 14 October 2014

Vascular hippocampal plasticity after aerobic exercise in older adults

Aerobic exercise in young adults can induce vascular plasticity in the hippocampus, a critical region for recall and recognition memory. In a mechanistic proof-of-concept intervention over 3 months, we investigated whether healthy older adults (60–77 years) also show such plasticity. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and volume (rCBV) were measured with gadolinium-based perfusion imaging (3 Tesla magnetic resonance image (MRI)). Hippocampal volumes were assessed by high-resolution 7 Tesla MRI. Fitness improvement correlated with changes in hippocampal perfusion and hippocampal head volume. Perfusion tended to increase in younger, but to decrease in older individuals. The changes in fitness, hippocampal perfusion and volume were positively related to changes in recognition memory and early recall for complex spatial objects.

That's really ground breaking stuff that should be utilized in stroke victims as SOC ASAP. I'd bet $ it would have value in other brain related trauma and pathology. No doubt the acute phase likely most effective, but might still be beneficial to post stroke states too. Now, if they added some hormones such as IGF-1 and testosterone, again, I'd bet $ they'd get get better results.

My issue is always that we read such an amazing study and it will be decades if ever that it gets into use. Studies also find injection of stem cells into damaged areas of the heart post MI reverses the damage. The DOD via the NIH (so not exactly some out of the way unknown group) identified creatine as a nutrient that should be helpful for TBI over a decade ago, and as far as I know, it's not used at all by any mil med.

As exciting as it is to see such studies you posted, my frustration levels go up knowing what I know. Injection of stem cells with growth factors with SCI is another area benefits exist yet, again....I could go on.