Did you know that continued practice of progressive resistance training (a form of strength training where the resistance is increased progressively as we get stronger) will both improve your cognitive function and quite literally make positive physiological changes to your brain?
For example, in one study, researchers found that after 6 month of progressive resistance training, people improved their cognition, increased their grey matter in the posterior cingulate area of the brain, and reversed the progression of "white matter hyperintensities" (a sign of cerebrovascular disease) in several brain areas. All of these benefits will lessen our chances of developing cognitive impairment as we get older.
This is a major finding! According to Professor Michael Merzenich, a world renowned neuroscientist, about 50% of us above the age of 70 show pathology of Alzheimer's disease.
We also know that the practice of resistance training can reverse the process of aging in our muscles, as shown in this study, where training led to changes in people's genes and mitochondrial function.
Having a healthy body and mind goes a long way as we get older. The sooner we start investing in ourselves, the better off we will be!