Single Strength Training Session Improves Short-Term Memory in Cognitively Preserved Older Adults

• Published in: Journal of applied gerontology 2024-10, p.7334648241290083
• Main Authors: Griebler, Nathália, Schröder, Nadja, Vieira, William Dos Santos, Fagundes, Mariana Ghignatti, Beraldo, Lucas Menghin, Machado, Gustavo Dalto Barroso, Pietta-Dias, Caroline
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0733-4648; 1552-4523; 1552-4523
• DOI: 10.1177/07334648241290083

The purpose of the present study was to examine the acute effect of a single aerobic or strength training session on memory of cognitively preserved older adults. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, in the first visit the participants (52.2% men, aged 68.65 ± 2.81 years-old, BMI 26.94 ± 4.09), were randomly allocated in one of three groups: AG (aerobic exercise group), SG (strength exercise group, submitted to five exercises with 15 repetitions each), and CG (control group). Participants had a short-term memory assessment (word list memory test) followed by a single exercise session, and were retested immediately after. 24 h later, participants were submitted to a long-term memory assessment about the story that was presented in the previous day. Results showed that the SG group had a significant improvement in the word list test, when comparing pre- and post-intervention scores, suggesting that a single strength training session significantly enhances short-term memory in this population.