A study involving 155 women aged 65-75 has found that those who participated in resistance training once or twice weekly for a year significantly improved their selective attention (maintaining mental focus) and conflict resolution (as well as muscular function of course!), compared to those who participated in twice-weekly balance and tone training. Performance on the Stroop test improved by 12.6% and 10.9% in the once-weekly and twice-weekly resistance training groups respectively, while it deteriorated by 0.5% in the balance and tone group. Improved attention and conflict resolution was also significantly associated with increased gait speed.
Resistance training improves attention in older women
Reference
Liu-Ambrose, T., Nagamatsu, L. S., Graf, P., Beattie, L., Ashe, M. C., & Handy, T. C. (2010). Resistance Training and Executive Functions: A 12-Month Randomized Controlled Trial. Arch Intern Med, 170(2), 170-178. Retrieved from http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/170/2/170
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