According to a recent study, engaging in regular resistance exercise can significantly decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and delay the onset of its symptoms. The research, conducted on transgenic mice, revealed that resistance training effectively reduced the formation of beta-amyloid plaques and normalized the levels of corticosterone, a stress hormone associated with Alzheimer’s. Scientists believe that the anti-inflammatory effects of resistance training play a crucial role in its effectiveness against the disease. Consequently, this study suggests that resistance exercise could serve as an accessible and cost-effective therapy for individuals with Alzheimer’s.
Furthermore, experiments involving mice demonstrated that just four weeks of weight training were sufficient to reverse the behavioral and physical changes characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study, conducted by Brazilian researchers from the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) and the University of São Paulo (USP), concludes that regular physical exercise, including resistance training, can prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. This simple and affordable therapy has the potential to benefit Alzheimer’s patients. The findings were published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience.
While high-intensity aerobic exercises receive significant attention in Alzheimer’s research, it is important to note that older individuals and dementia patients may find it challenging to engage in such activities on a daily basis. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends resistance exercise as an excellent option for enhancing balance, posture, and preventing falls. Resistance exercise involves contracting specific muscles against an external resistance and is essential for increasing muscle mass, strength, bone density, overall body composition, functional capacity, and balance. It also helps prevent or mitigate muscle atrophy (sarcopenia), making everyday tasks more manageable.
To assess the neuroprotective effects of resistance training, researchers from UNIFESP’s Departments of Physiology and Psychobiology, along with the Department of Biochemistry at USP’s Institute of Chemistry (IQ-USP), conducted experiments on transgenic mice that carried a mutation responsible for the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. Beta-amyloid plaques are known to impair synaptic connections and damage neurons, both of which are characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease.
During the study, funded by FAPESP, the mice were trained to climb a 110 cm ladder with a slope of 80° and 2 cm between rungs. Loads were attached to their tails, corresponding to 75%, 90%, and 100% of their body weight, simulating resistance training commonly performed by humans in fitness centers.
At the end of the four-week training period, blood samples were taken to measure plasma levels of corticosterone, the hormone in mice equivalent to cortisol in humans. Corticosterone levels in the exercise-trained mice were within the normal range, similar to the control group that did not carry the mutation. Additionally, analysis of the brain tissue showed a decrease in the formation of beta-amyloid plaques.
Henrique Correia Campos, the first author of the article, stated, “This confirms that physical activity can reverse the neuropathological alterations that cause clinical symptoms of the disease.”
Deidiane Elisa Ribeiro, co-first author of the article and a researcher at IQ-USP’s Neuroscience Laboratory, mentioned, “We also observed the animals’ behavior to assess their anxiety in the open field test and found that resistance exercise reduced hyperlocomotion to similar levels as the controls among mice with the phenotype associated with Alzheimer’s.” Early symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia often include agitation, restlessness, and wandering.
Beatriz Monteiro Longo, the last author of the article and a neurophysiology professor at UNIFESP, explained, “Resistance exercise is increasingly proving to be an effective strategy to prevent the appearance of symptoms in sporadic Alzheimer’s, which is not directly caused by a single inherited genetic mutation. It is a multifactorial disease associated with aging, or to delay their onset in familial Alzheimer’s. The primary reason for this effectiveness is likely the anti-inflammatory action of resistance exercise.”
The animal model study was based on a comprehensive review of the literature published in Frontiers in Neuroscience. The same research group at UNIFESP compiled clinical evidence supporting the positive effects of resistance exercise on cognitive dysfunction, memory deficits, and behavioral issues in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The study concludes that resistance exercise can be an affordable alternative or complementary therapy for Alzheimer’s patients.
Researchers from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) and the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP) in Brazil also contributed to this study.
Caroline Vieira Azevedo, the first author of the review article and a graduate student at UNIFESP, emphasized, “Alzheimer’s doesn’t only affect the patient. The entire family is affected, especially in low-income households. Both articles provide information that can be used to support the development of public policies. Just imagine the cost savings if the onset of symptoms in older patients can be delayed by ten years.”
Reference: “Neuroprotective effects of resistance physical exercise on the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease” by Henrique Correia Campos, Deidiane Elisa Ribeiro, Debora Hashiguchi, Talita Glaser, Milena da Silva Milanis, Christiane Gimenes, Deborah Suchecki, Ricardo Mario Arida, Henning Ulrich and Beatriz Monteiro Longo, 6 April 2023, Frontiers in Neuroscience.
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1132825
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Alzheimer’s prevention
Can resistance training prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease symptoms?
Yes, according to a study, regular resistance exercise has been found to prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. The research showed that resistance training reduced the formation of beta-amyloid plaques, normalized stress hormone levels, and had anti-inflammatory effects, making it an effective strategy against Alzheimer’s.
How long should one engage in resistance training to see the benefits?
Experiments involving mice demonstrated that just four weeks of resistance training were sufficient to reverse behavioral and physical alterations associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This suggests that a relatively short period of regular resistance exercise can yield positive effects on brain health.
Is resistance training an affordable therapy option for Alzheimer’s patients?
Yes, the study suggests that resistance exercise can serve as an accessible and affordable therapy for individuals with Alzheimer’s. It offers a simple and cost-effective approach to preventing or delaying the appearance of symptoms, making it a viable option for Alzheimer’s patients.
What are the other benefits of resistance exercise?
Resistance exercise provides various benefits beyond Alzheimer’s prevention. It helps improve balance, posture, and prevents falls. It also increases muscle mass, strength, and bone density, improves overall body composition, functional capacity, and balance. Additionally, resistance training can aid in mitigating muscle atrophy (sarcopenia), making everyday tasks easier to perform.
How does resistance exercise compare to other forms of physical exercise for Alzheimer’s prevention?
While high-intensity aerobic exercises often receive attention in Alzheimer’s research, resistance exercise is particularly beneficial for older individuals and dementia patients. It is a recommended option by the World Health Organization (WHO) for training balance, improving posture, and preventing falls. Compared to high-intensity aerobic exercises, resistance training offers a more accessible and manageable alternative for individuals with varying physical capabilities.
More about Alzheimer’s prevention
- Frontiers in Neuroscience: Neuroprotective effects of resistance physical exercise on the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
- World Health Organization (WHO): Physical Activity and Older Adults
- Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP): UNIFESP Official Website
- University of São Paulo (USP): USP Official Website
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN): UFRN Official Website
- Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP): UFOP Official Website
