- Design
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials (17 in meta-analysis)
- Population
- Community-dwelling adults aged 60 and over without cognitive impairment
- Primary outcome
- Working memory, inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility
- Effect
- Working memory SMD 0.30 (0.02 to 0.59); cognitive flexibility SMD −0.50 (−0.88 to −0.12)
A meta-analysis of randomised trials in community-dwelling adults aged 60 and over without cognitive impairment pooled 17 of 22 eligible trials.
Compared with control conditions, resistance training improved working memory (standardised mean difference 0.30, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.59) and cognitive flexibility (−0.50, −0.88 to −0.12), but not inhibitory control. Compared with other forms of exercise, it showed no advantage.
Certainty was low, with high risk of bias and varied protocols. The message is less about a cognitive treatment than about one more reason to prescribe strength training, which older adults need for muscle and falls.
- Recommend resistance training twice a week for older adults, primarily for strength and falls prevention.
- Mention possible cognitive benefit as a secondary reason, not a proven effect.
- Accept other forms of exercise; resistance training was not better than them for cognition.
- Start at low intensity and progress gradually, with supervision for frail patients.
Why it matters
Older adults are more likely to adopt exercise when they hear it may help thinking as well as strength.
Don't overread it
Low-certainty evidence with high risk of bias; effects were small and no better than other exercise.
The statistics, in plain English
A standardised mean difference of 0.30 is a small effect; the interval reaching nearly zero (0.02) means it could be trivial. Comparisons with other exercise found no difference.
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