Brawn = Brains

We’ve often treated physical fitness and cognitive health as two separate things. Think back to high school… There were the jocks & the nerds, but what if those strengths were more connected than we realized?

We already know that strength training provides plenty of benefits for the body. It helps to preserve muscle & bone density, support cardiovascular health, improve blood sugar regulation, maintain a healthy metabolism, and protect our ability to remain active & independent as we age.

But one of its most important benefits may be happening somewhere surprising: the brain! 

Strength Training Is Brain Training

Your muscles and brain are in constant communication. Every time you learn an exercise, do a movement with control, maintain balance, or push through a challenging rep, your brain is working alongside your body. Hence why you may hear our trainers say, “mind over matter!”. 

Research suggests that resistance training can support several areas of cognitive function, including memory, attention, processing speed, and executive function (the task force of the body). 

Strength training can support the brain by:

• Increasing blood flow and the delivery of oxygen & nutrients to the brain

• Supporting the release of growth factors involved in the health and function of brain cells

• Improving blood pressure, blood sugar regulation, and cardiovascular health, all of which influence brain health

• Reducing inflammation and supporting better sleep, mood, and stress management

• Challenging coordination, concentration, and the connection between the brain and muscles

  
  

Can Strength Training Reduce the Risk of Dementia?

Regular physical activity is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline, and resistance training seems to be an important part of that. Studies involving older adults have found that resistance exercise may improve memory, executive function, and overall cognition. 

Strength training also helps manage several conditions connected to cognitive decline, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. In other words, taking care of the body helps create a healthier environment for the brain.

Strong Legs, Strong Brain?

Researchers have found a connection between leg strength specifically, and cognitive health. In a long-term study involving female twins, greater leg power at the beginning of the study was associated with healthier cognitive aging and brain structure 10 years later. This doesn’t mean that maxing out the leg press is a guaranteed way to protect our brain health, but it is a positive reflection of how important physical strength is to our overall health. (King’s College London research)

Leg strength also helps us maintain balance, mobility, and independence. That matters for brain health because it allows us to keep moving, participate in our communities, try new activities, and stay socially connected as we age.

Protect the Brain

One of the most practical ways strength training supports the brain is by reducing the physical consequences of aging, especially when it comes to falls. 

A fall can put us at greater risk of a head or neck injury, such as a concussion or whiplash. Neck strength may also help the body better control the movement of the head during an impact. There is an association between greater neck strength and a lower risk of concussion or severity of concussion symptoms. A strong neck can't prevent every concussion, but it can reduce the severity of a whiplash injury, and help you recover faster. 

Cognitive Excellence 

Whether your an athlete or a mathlete - regular strength training still deserves a place in your routine. Your muscles may be doing all the heavy lifting, but your brain benefits too.

At Evolved, our workouts are safe, 1-on-1, and complete in just 15 minutes. It’s a simple & efficient way to build a stronger body while supporting the brain that controls it.