Resistance training enhances delayed memory in healthy middle-aged and older adults: A randomised controlled trial

Kieran J Marston; Jeremiah J Peiffer; Stephanie R Rainey-Smith; Nicole Gordon; Shaun Y Teo; Simon M Laws; Hamid R Sohrabi; Ralph N Martins; Belinda M Brown

doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2019.06.013

Resistance training enhances delayed memory in healthy middle-aged and older adults: A randomised controlled trial

J Sci Med Sport. 2019 Nov;22(11):1226-1231. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.06.013. Epub 2019 Jun 27.

Authors

Kieran J Marston¹, Jeremiah J Peiffer², Stephanie R Rainey-Smith³, Nicole Gordon², Shaun Y Teo⁴, Simon M Laws⁵, Hamid R Sohrabi⁶, Ralph N Martins⁷, Belinda M Brown⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Exercise Science, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Australia; Ageing, Cognition and Exercise (ACE) Research Group, Murdoch University, Australia. Electronic address: K.Marston@murdoch.edu.au.
² Department of Exercise Science, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Australia; Ageing, Cognition and Exercise (ACE) Research Group, Murdoch University, Australia.
³ Ageing, Cognition and Exercise (ACE) Research Group, Murdoch University, Australia; Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research & Care, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia; Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, Australia.
⁴ Department of Exercise Science, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Australia.
⁵ Collaborative Genomics Group, Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research & Care, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Australia.
⁶ Ageing, Cognition and Exercise (ACE) Research Group, Murdoch University, Australia; Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research & Care, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia; Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, Australia; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, Australia.
⁷ Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research & Care, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia; Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, Australia.
⁸ Department of Exercise Science, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Australia; Ageing, Cognition and Exercise (ACE) Research Group, Murdoch University, Australia; Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research & Care, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Australia; Australian Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute, Australia.

PMID: 31281076
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.06.013

Abstract

Objectives: High-intensity exercise is a potential therapeutic tool to postpone or prevent the onset of cognitive decline. However, there is a lack of sufficient evidence regarding the longitudinal effects of structured resistance training on cognitive function in healthy adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of two ecologically valid, intense 12-week resistance training programs on cognitive function in late middle-aged adults.

Design: Single-site parallel randomised controlled trial at the Department of Exercise Science strength and conditioning laboratory. Groups allocated by minimisation randomisation.

Methods: Forty-five healthy adults (age range=41-69 years) were enrolled and randomised into (A) high-load, long rest resistance training (n=14), or (B) moderate-load, short rest resistance training (n=15) twice per week for 12 weeks, or a non-exercising control (n=16). Follow-up within seven days. Data were collected September 2016-December 2017. Cognitive function assessed using the CogState computerised battery. Assessors were blinded to participant group allocation. Secondary outcomes were maximal muscle strength and body composition.

Results: Forty-four participants were analysed in 2018. Delayed verbal memory performance was improved (p=0.02) in resistance training groups (g=0.67-0.79) when compared to the control group, with no differences between training groups. Likewise, increases in maximal muscle strength were observed (p<0.01) in resistance training groups when compared to the control group, with no differences between training groups. No differences in body composition were observed. There were no adverse events or side-effects of the intervention.

Conclusions: 12 weeks of intense resistance training improves delayed verbal memory irrespective of training design (i.e., high-load vs. moderate-load).

Trial registration: This study is registered at www.anzctr.org.au ACTRN12616000690459.

Keywords: Cognitive function; Middle-aged adults; Resistance training.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Body Composition
Cognition*
Female
Humans
Male
Memory*
Middle Aged
Muscle Strength
Resistance Training / methods*