Health care

By Edward C. Geehr, M.D., Lifescript Chief Medical Officer

There are many good reasons to exercise – weight management, improved mood, cardio-vascular health, lowered risk of diabetes and osteoporosis, improved energy levels, better sleep, improved sex life, reduced cancer risk, and elevated good cholesterol. Now we have another reason – brain fitness.

In a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers in British Columbia found that older women who did 1-2 hours of strength-training exercises each week had improved cognitive function a year later.

Researchers randomly assigned 155 women ages 65-75 either to strength training with dumbbells or weight machines once or twice a week or to a balance and toning exercise group. The strength training group had improved their performance on tests of selective attention and conflict resolution, so-called executive functions, by 10%-12%. The balance and toning group actually experienced a slight deterioration in the same measures by 0.5%.

The researchers note that older women are less likely than others to do strength training, even though it improves bone strength and counteract muscle loss. Elaborate equipment isn’t necessary to conduct a well-designed, strength-training exercise program for senior women 1-2 times per week.

This study is one of many recent articles that demonstrate the value of exercise on the brain. Another study published in 2008 in Nature Review Neuroscience found that intense bouts of aerobic exercise improve immediate cognitive performance. And the more intense, the better the results.

In this study, 21 young adults completed 30 minutes of either resistance training or intense aerobic exercise on a treadmill. Study subjects were tested before and immediately after training sessions for reaction time and accuracy. Both measures were improved in the aerobic exercise group compared to the resistance training and resting controls. Further improvements in cognitive testing were observed with more intensity of exercise.

The researchers reasoned that intense exercise on a treadmill carries certain growth factors from the periphery of the body to the brain that may trigger a molecular cascade on new neurons and brain connections. This transport of growth factors probably requires a dramatic change in blood flow to the brain only observed with vigorous exercise.

It was felt that the weight-lifting routine was not vigorous enough to maximally stimulate flow of growth factors which may stay in the muscles. However, we know from the Annals study that weight bearing does improve cognitive function in older women over time, but it’s likely not as efficient as intense aerobic activity over the short term.

See All House Calls by Dr. Geehr.

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