Effects of strength and balance training on the structure of the aging brain.
NeuroimageAug 31, 2026 (epub)
Xinyu Liu, Sven Egger, Selin Scherrer et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of three months of strength and balance training on brain structure in 60 elderly adults aged 64-82. The study found that strength training led to increased extra-axonal axial diffusivity in specific white matter tracts, indicating microstructural remodeling, while both training types helped mitigate axonal water fraction reductions in the corpus callosum and posterior corona radiata.
Key findings
- Strength training increased extra-axonal axial diffusivity in the bilateral inferior fronto-occipital and longitudinal fasciculi.
- Both training types mitigated reductions in axonal water fraction in the splenium of the corpus callosum.
- Control group showed significant reductions in axonal water fraction compared to training groups.
Why it matters
Understanding how strength and balance training can induce structural changes in the aging brain is crucial for developing interventions that may enhance cognitive function and overall brain health in older adults.