Resistance training and cognition in adults with and without cognitive decline: an umbrella review — The Association Specialists
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Resistance training and cognition in adults with and without cognitive decline: an umbrella review (22203)

Kieran J Marston 1 2 , Kelsey R Sewell 1 , Brook Galna 1 2 , Hamid R Sohrabi 1 3 4 5 , Belinda M Brown 1 3 4 6
  1. Centre for Healthy Ageing, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
  2. PHysical Activity, Sport and Exercise (PHASE) Research Group, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
  3. Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Care, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
  4. Alzheimer’s Research Australia, Sarich Neurosciences Research Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
  5. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
  6. Centre for Precision Health, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia

Title: Resistance training and cognition in adults with and without cognitive decline: an umbrella review

Objectives: The purpose of this umbrella review is to summarise the evidence from previous meta-analyses to provide an overall indication of the efficacy that resistance training has on cognitive function outcomes in older adults.

Methods: A systematic search of the literature was conducted. Eligible studies recruited adults ≥50y with or without cognitive decline and administered solely resistance training interventions of at least four weeks in duration. Reporting quality was assessed with AMSTAR 2. Overall effects of standardised mean change scores were calculated using the robust variance estimation method.

Findings: Reporting quality for the included meta-analyses was deemed moderate (n = 5), low (n = 8) or critically low (n = 12).  We included 33 primary studies (from 25 meta-analyses). Studies had a median total sample of 40 per study (range: 16 to 210 participants). We observed an overall effect in favour of resistance training compared to control arms (d = 0.32, CI 95%: 0.16 to 0.47, p < 0.001), with large heterogeneity (I2 = 66.3%). Larger effects were seen for studies with passive control arms, and for global cognition compared to specific cognitive domains.

Conclusion: There is a low-to-moderate effect for resistance training to improve cognition in older adults. However, current meta-analyses have relied on small, poor quality studies. Large randomised controlled trials with active control arms are warranted.