Lifting weights shows mental health and cognitive benefits in older women, study finds

Weightlifting can improve memory and mental health in older women, whether they lift heavier or lighter weights, a clinical trial has found.

The study suggests structured exercise could offer a non-drug way to help protect the ageing mind.

As people age, physical abilities often decline and the risk of cognitive impairment rises.

Women can also face a higher risk of depression and anxiety later in life because of menopause, hormonal changes and shifting social factors.

Over time, poor mental health can speed up physical and cognitive decline.

Medical professionals often recommend cardiovascular and resistance training to help preserve physical independence.

Beyond building muscle and strength, lifting weights may also help protect the brain.

The research team recruited 120 women with an average age of 68 who were not taking part in any structured exercise programmes.

Before the intervention, independent cardiologists screened the volunteers using diagnostic stress tests to make sure they could take part safely.

The researchers then divided the women into three equal groups based on their baseline physical strength to ensure a balanced comparison.

The first group followed a resistance training programme using heavier weights for eight to 12 repetitions.

The second performed the same exercises using slightly lighter weights for 10 to 15 repetitions. The third acted as a control group and remained sedentary throughout the trial.

For three months, the active groups visited the university fitness facility three mornings a week.

Under the direct supervision of qualified fitness experts, participants completed three sets of eight different full-body exercises. These included weight machines and free weights, with movements such as chest presses, leg extensions, seated rows and bicep curls.

As the women grew stronger over the 12 weeks, supervisors progressively increased the weight they lifted.

This ensured participants stayed within their assigned repetition range while maintaining proper breathing and movement technique. Researchers also told all participants not to start any new exercise outside the laboratory setting.

The scientists carried out a broad set of cognitive and psychological tests before the programme began and again shortly after it ended.

They used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment to measure spatial skills, short-term memory and language processing.

The team also used several standardised surveys to track symptoms of geriatric depression and general anxiety.

Other tests assessed executive function, the mental processes involved in planning, focusing attention and multitasking.

In the Trail Making Test, the women had to connect a scattered sequence of numbers and letters as quickly as possible to assess cognitive flexibility.

In another verbal test, they had to name as many words beginning with the letter F, or as many animals as possible, within 60 seconds.

The researchers also used a computerised Stroop test to assess inhibitory control. In this visual test, the women saw words such as “red” or “black” displayed in conflicting ink colours, such as green.

They had to suppress the automatic urge to read the word and instead press a button matching the ink colour.

After the three-month intervention, both groups of weightlifters showed clear improvements in their test scores.

Their performance on the overall cognitive assessment rose, and their reaction times in executive function tests fell substantially.

The control group showed no such improvements, and in some categories their mental performance worsened slightly.

The structured exercise also reduced the severity of mood disorders among the active participants.

Scores for depressive symptoms fell by roughly 34 per cent in the lower repetition group and 24 per cent in the higher repetition group. Anxiety scores fell by more than 40 per cent in both groups.

The researchers said these improvements met the threshold for a clinically meaningful difference.

In practical terms, that means the psychological benefits were large enough for the women to notice in their daily emotional state.

The trial found no major differences in outcomes between the two repetition strategies, suggesting both intensities worked equally well against cognitive decline.

The study has several caveats that may shape future research into the neurological benefits of structured exercise.

The testing relied heavily on self-reported psychological surveys, which can be affected by subjective bias or temporary changes in mood.

The team also did not closely track differences in the women’s light daily physical activity outside the gym.

The researchers also said the social structure of the fitness programme may have contributed to the emotional benefits.

For 12 weeks, the active participants exercised in a shared, supportive environment, with regular contact with peers and supervisors.

This kind of consistent social interaction can help reduce loneliness and provide psychological relief.

Future trials will need to isolate whether different exercise durations or extra social interaction change these positive neural effects.

Even so, the results suggest resistance training could offer an accessible way to help treat mild cognitive and mood problems.

Regular weightlifting may benefit the mind as well as the muscles in older adults.