A recent study reveals that combining aerobic and strength training exercise can support greater brain function in people in their 80s and 90s

On cognitive tests, older adults who consistently engage in both aerobic and strength training exercises outperform those who are either sedentary or solely engage in cardiovascular exercise. That is the main conclusion of our recent study, which was written up in the journal GeroScience.

We examined 184 individuals with normal cognitive function, ranging in age from 85 to 99. Each participant filled out a questionnaire on their exercise routines and performed a full battery of neuropsychological tests meant to gauge different aspects of cognitive function.

Regardless of intensity or length, we discovered that those who included both aerobic workouts like swimming and cycling and strength training like weightlifting in their regimens had higher mental agility, faster thinking, and a stronger capacity to change or adjust their thinking.

We discovered that persons who didn't exercise at all performed worse on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a well-known cognitive screening test that offers a balanced perspective of several facets of cognition. This was true for both cardio-only and cardio-and-weight-training participants. Even after accounting for other variables like education levels and exercise habits, this difference remained small but significant. Beyond simply the screening findings, the group that performed both types of workouts outperformed the other groups in certain cognitive tasks like symbol coding.

It's crucial to understand that while our study found a link between a combination of aerobic and strength training activities and better cognitive test results, the study's design precluded us from drawing conclusions about a cause-and-effect relationship.

Nevertheless, the findings imply that among individuals in their late 80s and beyond, a diverse fitness program is linked to increased cognitive performance. We carried out the research as a part of a significant, multi-site partnership with the McKnight Brain Research Foundation, which has institutions at the Universities of Florida, Miami, Arizona, and Birmingham.

The urgency of cognitive health is increased by the aging of the global population. Approximately 14 million Americans will have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease by the year 2060, up from slightly over 6 million in 2020. In addition to showing promise for healthier aging, our research also describes a workable plan for maintaining or potentially even enhancing cognitive health in later life.

These findings are more than simply numerical summaries; they show real-world reasoning skills that may have an impact on how well people age.

The idea that becoming older and becoming physically inactive must go hand in hand is challenged by the fact that approximately 70% of our research participants were already exercising before enrolling in the study.

Our findings give health care professionals a solid scientific foundation on which to base their recommendations for patients' wellness programs that include a combination of aerobic and strength training. According to studies, people have a greater quality of life and spend less money on medical care when cognitive decline is halted.

One of the issues we hope to examine in the next study is what kind of strength and aerobic exercise are most useful for maintaining cognitive health. Can walking be more effective than running? Does using a resistance band have the same impact as lifting weights? How much physical activity is necessary to notably enhance cognitive function?

Another significant unresolved issue relates to the effectiveness of exercise to improve neurocognitive issues in older persons. According to our research, exercise is a preventive measure. However, is it also possible to use it as a preventative treatment for cognitive decline? This is a fascinating discovery that is opening up a number of brand-new prospects for supporting people in living fully throughout their whole life span.