Resistance training may prevent or delay symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, new research shows.
One study found that hormone levels associated with Alzheimer's risk were lower in those who underwent strength training than in those who did not.
A neurodegenerative disease expert explains the findings.
There are lots of benefits to physical activity – exercise can be good for your heart, muscles and bones. Now research shows that a certain type of exercise can delay or even prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease
A study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience looked at how regular physical exercise, such as resistance training, can affect hormone levels that increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The aim was to see if resistance training and similar ways of training can prevent or at least delay the onset of symptoms and serve as a simple and affordable treatment for Alzheimer's patients
Researchers conducted this experiment by looking at mice with a genetic mutation responsible for an accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques, a type of toxic protein, in the brain. This buildup damages brain cells and is a key marker of Alzheimer's disease.
The mice were trained to climb a steeply inclined ladder while loads were attached to their tails equal to 75%, 90% and 100% of their body weight. The experiment mimicked typical resistance training you might see people doing at the gym. After a four-week period of training, blood samples were taken to measure levels of corticosterone, the hormone in mice similar to cortisol in humans; where increasing levels in response to stress increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's.
Levels of the hormone were normal in the exercise-trained mice, meaning their levels were similar to those found in the control group of mice without the genetic mutation. Analysis of their brain tissue also showed a decrease in the formation of beta-amyloid plaques.
“This confirms that physical activity can reverse neuropathological changes that cause clinical symptoms of the disease,” said Henrique Correia Campos, first author of the article, in a Press release
The researchers also observed the behavior of the mice to assess their anxiety and found that resistance exercises reduced levels of restlessness and agitation to levels similar to controls, said Deidiane Elisa Ribeiro, co-author of the article and researcher at IQ-USP's Neuroscience Laboratory. , one said Press release. Agitation, restlessness and wandering are frequent early symptoms of Alzheimer's.
Resistance exercises are increasingly proving to be effective as a strategy to avoid the appearance of symptoms of Alzheimer's or to delay their appearance in Alzheimer's, said Beatriz Monteiro Longo, the last author of the article and professor of neurophysiology at UNIFESP. “The main possible reason for this effectiveness is the anti-inflammatory effect of resistance exercise.”
What is resistance training and how does it affect brain health?
Resistance training is strength training which leads to an increase in muscle mass, says Dale Bredesen, MD , neuroscientist and neurodegenerative disease expert. “This improves insulin sensitivity, which is important for reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease. It also prevents sarcopenia (muscle loss) often associated with aging.”
In addition, resistance training can improve sleep, improve muscle-related signals to the brain, reduce inflammation and help improve heart fitness, he adds.
How can resistance training lower the risk of Alzheimer's or delay the onset of the disease?
Although this study looked at mice, not humans, it is consistent with what has been observed in humans, says Dr. Bredesen. “Through the multiple mechanisms listed above, it reduces the risk of cognitive decline.” Alzheimer's is primarily driven by two factors: reduced energy (such as blood flow and oxygenation) and increased inflammation, he explains. “Strength training helps address both factors.”
Bottom line
Although this study did not look directly at humans, this research reinforces the idea that strength training can reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Dr. Bredesen says it's more evidence that Alzheimer's isn't completely inevitable.
Before you start strength training, consult a doctor before joining the gym to make sure it's right for you.
Madeleine, Prevention ‘s assistant editor, has a history of health writing from her experience as an editorial assistant at WebMD and from her personal research at the university. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in Biopsychology, Cognition and Neuroscience – she helps create strategies for success across Prevention ‘s social media platforms.