Weight Training Boosts Memory

More and more research is being released each year that shows that physical exercise is good for not just our physical health. Studies show that staying active also assists us psychologically and intellectually.

In a study printed in Acta Psychologica, experts set out to find what effect, if any, strength training exercise has on a person's short term memory. So, they invited a group of people to look at photos (some positive, some neutral, and some negative) before doing just one particular exercise—a one-leg knee extension/flexion resistance training movement.

Two days after that, they asked each person to have a look at a second group of pictures to see which ones they would be able to recollect viewing before. They also analyzed the individual's physiological response to the activity by looking at some specific hormones, their heart rate, and blood pressure.

Experts discovered that the participants who performed the knee extension/flexion exercise "had higher overall recognition accuracy than the group that did not exercise," and that was after only a single session. Envision how great your memory could be if you practiced resistance or strength training as part of a routine!

If you've never tried resistance training, then you may benefit from hiring a personal trainer to create a workout for your specific fitness level and goals. Keeping proper form and performing the exercises correctly is essential to getting in shape without hurting yourself, and a trainer can show you how to make that happen.

Ultimately, you want to make certain you do the movements in a slow and controlled way. Additionally, don't work the same muscle group two days in a row as it needs 1-2 days to recover after a good workout.

Aerobic exercise has also been linked to improved memory recollection, so making a well-rounded workout routine is as significant to your mental health as it is to your physical conditioning. Incorporate both along with regular chiropractic visits, in your life and you'll be in good shape inside and out.

If you would like to optimize your health, visit our Depew, NY office or give us a call at (716) 668-2225.

Weinberg L, Hasni A, Shinohara M, Duarte A. A single bout of resistance exercise can enhance episodic memory performance. Acta Psychologica 2014;153:13-9.