Strength training shown to aid Alzheimer's prevention and care in Brazil

Weight‑lifting and other strength exercises are being highlighted as a non‑pharmacological tool to lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease and to help people already diagnosed maintain mobility and independence. Neurologist Paulo Caramelli of the Federal University of Minas Gerais points to sedentary lifestyles as a major modifiable risk factor and cites research on myokines – proteins released by muscles during contraction – that can reach the brain and promote neuronal connections and plasticity.

A case in point is 59‑year‑old Rogério Beck, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s two years ago. He replaced his running routine with supervised weight‑training sessions three to four times a week and reports feeling more irritable and sleeping worse on days he skips them. His wife, Karin Beck, exercises with Pilates and walking to reduce her own risk, following a Mediterranean‑style diet.

Researchers such as Luiz Sinésio Neto recommend a multicomponent program that combines resistance work, aerobic activity, balance and mobility exercises. A 2015 Lancet trial of 1,260 older adults found that a two‑year regimen of combined physical and cognitive training produced better cognitive test scores than a control group. A 2024 Lancet review identified physical inactivity among 14 modifiable factors that influence dementia risk. While evidence of a direct effect on disease progression remains limited, regular strength training—about two to three supervised sessions per week, totaling at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly—is advised to preserve functional ability and reduce falls in Alzheimer’s patients.