The impact of resistance exercise on the cognitive function of the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of 24 wk of resistance training at two different intensities on cognitive functions in the elderly.


METHODS
Sixty-two elderly individuals were randomly assigned to three groups: CONTROL (N = 23), experimental moderate (EMODERATE; N = 19), and experimental high (EHIGH; N = 20). The volunteers were assessed on physical, hemodynamic, cognitive, and mood parameters before and after the program.


RESULTS
On the 1 RM test (P < 0.001), the two experimental groups performed better than the CONTROL group, but they did not show differences between themselves. The EHIGH group gained more lean mass (P = 0.05) than the CONTROL group and performed better on the following tests: digit span forward (P < 0.001), Corsi's block-tapping task backward (P = 0.001), similarities (P = 0.03), Rey-Osterrieth complex figure immediate recall (P = 0.02), Toulouse-Pieron concentration test errors (P = 0.01), SF-36 (general health) (P = 0.04), POMS (tension-anxiety, P = 0.04; depression-dejection, P = 0.03; and total mood disorder, P = 0.03). The EMODERATE group scored higher means than the CONTROL group on digit span forward (P < 0.001), Corsi's block-tapping task backward (P = 0.01), similarities (P = 0.02), Rey-Osterrieth complex figure immediate recall (P = 0.02), SF-36 (general health, P = 0.005; vitality, P = 0.006), POMS (tension-anxiety, P = 0.001; depression-dejection, P = 0.006; anger-hostility, P = 0.006; fatigue-inertia, P = 0.02; confusion-bewilderment, P = 0.02; and total mood disorder, P = 0.001). We also found that IGF-1 serum levels were higher in the experimental groups (EMODERATE, P = 0.02; EHIGH, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Moderate- and high-intensity resistance exercise programs had equally beneficial effects on cognitive functioning.
Cassilhas
Ricardo C
RC
Department of Psychobiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Viana
Valter A R
VA
Grassmann
Viviane
V
Santos
Ronaldo T
RT
Santos
Ruth F
RF
Tufik
Sérgio
S
Mello
Marco T
MT
D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000523:psychology*