A single session of high-intensity resistance training boosts memory and brain connectivity – particularly in the hippocampus – an indicator of enhanced cognitive health. Digest
High-intensity resistance training, also known as functional training, requires the body to exert considerable effort against weights or resistance. Evidence suggests this type of training confers myriad physical and mental health benefits, including improved metabolic function and mood, particularly in older adults. A recent study found that engaging in a single session of high-intensity resistance training enhanced memory capabilities.
The study involved 60 young, healthy adults who took memory tests and underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging of their brains. Then, half of the participants engaged in a single high-intensity resistance training session, while the other half did not. The training involved three resistant exercise sets at 75 to 80 percent of the participants' one-rep max, with one minute of rest between sets and a total duration of under seven minutes. Two days later, both groups repeated the memory tests and brain imaging scans.
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Those who participated in the resistance exercise session exhibited marked improvements in memory recall compared to the non-exercising group. These memory improvements correlated with greater connectivity in the left posterior region of the hippocampus, an area involved in memory.
The findings from this small study suggest that just one session of high-intensity resistance training has considerable influence on memory, highlighting its potential to promote cognitive health and neural plasticity. Learn more about high-intensity resistance training in this clip featuring Dr. Martin Gibala.