“A single bout of resistance exercise . . . can enhance episodic memory.” Lisa Weinberg
The addition of some resistance training will yield both physical and mental health benefits
According to a new study, resistance or strength training enhances memory.
Strength training is a type of physical exercise using resistance to induce muscular contraction which builds the strength, anaerobic endurance, and size of skeletal muscles.
In general, strength training can provide significant benefits to overall health and well-being, including increased bone, muscle, tendon and ligament strength, improved joint function, increased bone density, increased metabolism, improved cardiac function, and elevated HDL (“good”) cholesterol.
This new study adds improved episodic memory to the benefits of strength training.
The significance of this study though, is that even 20 minutes of resistance training can show immediate benefits to memory. This exercise or physical stress seems to increase our overall state of arousal which plays a role in improved memory.
The study was performed by Lisa Weinberg, PhD, and colleagues from the School of Psychology, Center for Advanced Brain Imaging, Georgia Institute of Technology.
The study was publish in Acta Psychologica. See A single bout of resistance exercise can enhance episodic memory performance
Numerous studies have shown the numerous physical, mental and emotional benefits to regular aerobic exercise. The addition of some resistance training will yield both physical and mental health benefits.
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Original copyright 2014