A new study points to weight training as a potential tool to reduce dementia risk, offering hope for an aging global population. Researchers from UNICAMP in Brazil found that resistance exercise may play a meaningful role in delaying or preventing dementia, a condition characterized by memory loss and behavioral changes.
Dementia affects around 55 million people worldwide, and numbers are rising with aging populations. While there is no cure, lifestyle choices are a central defense. Prior research suggests lifestyle changes could prevent up to 45% of dementia cases, and the latest study reinforces resistance training as a valuable preventive measure.
Isadora Ribeiro, a senior researcher on the study published in GeroScience, emphasized non-pharmacological strategies to delay dementia. “Since there is no cure yet, finding accessible ways to delay or prevent onset is essential to improving quality of life in aging,” she noted.
In the study, 44 adults aged 55 and older with mild cognitive impairment were divided into two groups. One group performed moderate to high-intensity resistance exercises twice weekly, while a control group did not exercise. Results showed improvements in verbal episodic memory and growth in brain regions associated with Alzheimer’s disease among those who trained.
Ribeiro added that weight training might not only boost cognition but also help prevent atrophy in regions linked to Alzheimer’s. This suggests a meaningful shift for people at risk of dementia, potentially preserving brain health longer.
Remarkably, many participants in the weightlifting group no longer met criteria for mild cognitive impairment by the study’s end. This finding aligns with earlier research indicating that even modest physical activity can reduce dementia risk. In a previous study, minimal activity—about 35 minutes per week—was linked to a 41% lower risk of developing dementia.
Prior research author Amal Wanigatunga has argued that even small increases in activity yield benefits. “Our findings suggest that increasing physical activity, even five minutes a day, can reduce dementia risk in older adults,” Wanigatunga said.
For Thai readers, the study highlights how simple, home-based exercises can be integrated into daily life to support brain health. Basic strength routines can be performed with minimal equipment, making weight training a practical option for many households.
Looking ahead, resistance training could become a cost-effective strategy for maintaining cognitive resilience. Thailand’s long-standing emphasis on health and wellness may align with global efforts to promote healthier aging, making such preventive practices especially relevant.
For readers interested in adopting these practices, a practical starting point is to incorporate manageable at-home strength sessions to strengthen brain health and reduce dementia risk.