New Study Suggests Strength Training Boosts Brain Health

A recent meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience explored the connection between strength training and brain health. The study’s researchers analyzed 58 randomized controlled trials involving 4,349 adults aged 60 and older to examine how five types of exercise affect cognitive health. These five movement styles included resistance training, aerobic exercise, high-intensity intervals, mind–body practices like Tai Chi and yoga, and hybrid routines blending any of the previous four types.

Resistance training was the most effective at boosting global cognition—which includes functions like memory and attention—and inhibitory control, which is the ability to regulate your behavior. But resistance training wasn’t the only champ. Mind-body practices ranked first for improving task-switching efficiency and memory, too, but specifically working memory, which refers to the small amount of information you retain in the present moment to problem-solve or reason through things. Aerobic workouts lead to memory function (how well your memory works). People aged 65 to 75 achieved the greatest overall cognitive benefits from resistance training. It’s also worth noting that not every study included in the meta-analysis used the same tests or tracked intensity, but the big picture is still clear.

Different exercises train different brain skills, but resistance training may be one of the best ways to protect your overall brain health.