Bigger Muscles = Bigger Brain
Want to maintain your brain as you age?
Science says you should be pumping iron.In a randomized, controlled study of 155 older women those who strength trained 2 days per week for a year significantly improved executive function and reduced white matter atrophy when compared to a group that engaged in balance and toning drills for the same amount of time. These results were consistent at both one and two-year follow ups.
Strength training improves insulin sensitivity. Better insulin sensitivity means less sugar on the brain and improved energy metabolism in the brain cells. Add that to more bloodflow and BDNF (brain derived neurotrophic growth factor) and you have the recipe for long term brain fitness.
Sharon comes in and crushes her strength training 3 days per week at @bodybyboyle.
What are you doing to keep your brain sharp as you age?
Reference: Best, J., Chiu, B., Liang Hsu, C., Nagamatsu, L., & Liu-Ambrose, T. (2015). Long-Term Effects of Resistance Exercise Training on Cognition and Brain Volume in Older Women: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 21(10), 745-756. doi:10.1017/S1355617715000673
