Strength trainingWill Strength Training Make You Smarter?
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Bodybuilders are not exactly known for being braniacs—but new research may blow up that old stereotype.
According to a study published last week, there is a strong correlation between physical and mental muscle.
The study analyzed data from more than 475,000 individuals from the general population who had participated in the UK Biobank, “a nationwide, health-orientated, cohort study aiming to investigate how peoples’ lifestyles, environment and genetics are related to various health outcomes.”
Analysis of the data showed that “on average, stronger people performed better across every test of brain functioning used,” including reaction speed, logical problem solving, and multiple memory tests. (Muscular strength was measured using grip strength, an accepted measure often used in research studies.)
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What Does It Mean?
“We can see there is a clear connection between muscular strength and brain health,” said lead researcher, Joseph Firth, Phd. To be clear: That doesn’t mean strength training made people in the study smarter. It merely shows an association.
“Really, what we need now, are more studies to test if we can actually make our brains healthier by doing things which make our muscles stronger, such as weight training,” Dr. Firth said.
We agree. In the meantime, we’ll continue exercising all of our important muscles—at both the gym and the library.
(Featured Photo: Shutterstock)
The Nutritious Life Editors are a team of healthy lifestyle enthusiasts who not only subscribe to — and live! — the 8 Pillars of a Nutritious Life, but also have access to some of the savviest thought leaders in the health and wellness space — including our founder and resident dietitian, Keri Glassman. From the hottest trends in wellness to the latest medical science, we stay on top of it all in order to deliver the info YOU need to live your most nutritious life.
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