Strength Training for Women Sharpens Mind

Recently a group of Canadian researchers in British Columbia found that elderly females who did an hour or two of strength training exercises a week end up sharpening their cognitive skills. Researchers had 155 older women work out with dumbbells and weight machines for about a year; they saw an improvement of about 11.5% with the group’s decision making, conflict resolution, and concentration skills.

The study’s findings are particularly interesting because a relatively low percentage of elderly women actually engage in strength training workouts. Now hopefully more older females will take note and hit the weight room!

Exercise: In Women, Training for a Sharper Mind [The New York Times]