Weight Training Does More Than Build Muscle: Study Finds the Brain May Appear Nearly Two Years Younger After 60

Starting weight training in your 60s may do more than help preserve muscle. A clinical study shared by rehabilitation physician Wang Szu-heng found that resistance training was linked to younger estimated brain ages among adults aged about 62 to 70.

The study included 309 participants divided into three groups: high-intensity resistance training, moderate-intensity resistance training and no additional exercise. After one year, estimated brain age had fallen by about 1.4 years in the high-intensity group and 1.39 years in the moderate-intensity group.

The difference grew during the two-year follow-up. The high-intensity group showed an estimated reduction of about 1.85 years, while the moderate-intensity group showed a reduction of about 2.26 years. The group that did not add exercise showed no significant change.

Wang said the shift was not limited to a small part of the brain. The results pointed to changes in functional connections across the brain. But he cautioned against interpreting the findings as proof that weight training literally turns back the brain’s birthday by two years.

The researchers measured a brain-age indicator calculated through MRI and machine learning. Wang said the main message is that beginning resistance training in one’s 60s is not too late. It may help older adults maintain muscle and could also slow aspects of brain aging.

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Brain age becoming younger does not mean the brain is becoming young again.