
Brain Aging and Barbells (How Lifting Weights Slows Cognitive Decline) | Ep 474
From Wits & Weights | Evidence-Based Fitness & Nutrition for Lifters Over 40 by Philip Pape, Evidence-Based Nutrition Coach & Fat Loss Expert
June 4, 2026 · 28 min · Episode 474
About this episode
This episode discusses how lifting weights can slow brain aging and its unique benefits for cognitive health.
Can lifting weights slow how fast your brain ages? A new study used brain scans to measure exactly that. The results show that resistance training is a uniquely beneficial tool for brain health that works through different pathways than cardio. Lifting weights can make the brain test younger on functional MRI, and the benefits may keep compounding even long after you train. Learn what brain age measures, why the prefrontal cortex matters for Alzheimer's and cognitive aging, the muscle-t...
People in this episode
Host: Philip Pape
Topics covered
- brain aging
- resistance training
- cognitive decline
- fitness
- nutrition
- health
Keywords
- brain health
- cognitive aging
- resistance training
- weight lifting
- functional MRI
- prefrontal cortex
- Alzheimer's
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Alzheimer's, functional MRI
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