Benefits of balance and tone exercise in older women
Researchers at the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, Canada studied the effects on cognitive function.
First, the details.
- 155 elderly community-dwelling women were randomly assigned to a treatment group.
- Once-weekly resistance training
- Twice-weekly resistance training
- Control: Twice-weekly balance and tone training
- Performance on the Stroop test — an executive cognitive test of selective attention and conflict resolution — was recorded, as well as a battery of other tests.
- The Stroop Task is a psychological test of mental (attentional) vitality and flexibility.
And, the results.
- Both resistance training groups significantly improved their performance on the Stroop test compared with those in the control group.
- Task performance improved 13% and 11% in the once-weekly and twice-weekly resistance training groups, respectively.
- It deteriorated by 0.5% in the control group.
- Enhanced selective attention and conflict resolution was significantly associated with increased gait speed.
- Both resistance training groups demonstrated significant reductions in whole-brain volume compared with the control group at the end of the study.
- This technique is a method of detecting early whole brain and gray matter volume loss associated with early dementia.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “12 months of once-weekly or twice-weekly resistance training benefited the executive cognitive function of selective attention and conflict resolution among senior women.”
3/29/10 22:06 JR