JOENSUU, Finland — People who maintain strong muscles in their senior years may also have stronger brains, a new study finds.
Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland sought to uncover whether there was a link between muscle strength, particularly the handgrip, and cognition in older adults.
The team analyzed data from 168 men and 170 women who were between the ages of 57 and 78, measuring their levels of upper body strength, lower body strength, and handgrip strength.
For upper body strength measurements, researchers had participants take part in two common exercises, such as a chest press. For the lower body, three exercises, such as leg extensions, were gauged. Handgrip strength is typically measured using a dynamometer. Cognitive function was assessed using a common series of tests known as the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) neuropsychological battery.
The researchers weren’t able to find an association between handgrip strength and cognition levels, but they did make a link when it came to greater upper body or lower body strength.
“The findings suggest that it may be justified to go beyond the handgrip and to include the upper and lower body when measuring muscle strength, as this may better reflect the association between muscle strength and cognition,” says study author Heikki Pentikäinen, in a university news release.
The study is believed to be among the first to link muscle strength with cognition. One previous study had found that having stronger muscles was associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The results were published in the journal European Geriatric Medicine.
Wait a sec! Are they saying that a 260-pound guy who can bench 150 pounds has a better brain than a 130-pound guy who can bench 140 pounds, simply because the much bigger guy can lift 10 more pounds? That’s how the article reads. I don’t buy it.
Two things matter here: Lean body mass versus body fat. There is no known advantage to losing lean body mass, so we have to consider the realities outside the lab and outside our theoretical scenarios; the guy who goes to the gym three times a week is unlikely to be obese while only bench-pressing 150 lbs.
I’m now 71 & exercise 3 times a week on my Total Gym which is much safer than using free weights. It is the smartest thing I did sending my Total Gym to the Philippines from America where I’m now permanently retired as a permanent resident of The Philippines. Most people take me for around 50 instead of my seventies. Also, I consume warm Lemon Water. & Virgin Coconut Oil too. There is much less stress here in The Philippines, so that helps too!
I agree you don’t look 71, but have you actually looked in the mirror?
Come on Brian, don’t give GLAD, grief. That pic was obviously taken from a bad angle.