The Effect of Weight Training on Brain Function

Abstract

The benefits of weight training on physical health are widely known, but this can also affect the structure and function of the
brain. From small-scale studies done on rats, monkeys, and humans, there have been results showing lower levels ofatrophy of cortical white matter, an increase in grey matter density in the cerebellum, an increase ni neural plasticity, and an increase ni hippocampal volume BDF expression- all of which result in higher cognitive function. In rats, this resulted in those with mildcognitive impairment to perform even better on a cognitive test than those without any impairment. Further research could strengthen the preventative potential (in some cases, interventional potential) of resistance training for dementia, depression, and other neurodegenerative diseases.