12/06/2025
Even more proof that staying strong as we age is vital!
Strong legs may help keep your brain sharp. 🧠💪
A 10 year study followed 324 healthy older female twins (ages 43 to 73). The researchers found that leg power at the start of the study was the strongest physical predictor of cognitive aging a decade later. In identical twin pairs, who share all their DNA and childhood environment, the twin with stronger legs maintained better thinking speed, memory, and learning over time.
Twelve years later, brain scans showed the stronger twin had more gray matter and less age related brain shrinkage. Leg power predicted brain volume better than grip strength, chair rise performance, or self reported physical activity. These results suggest leg strength, not just general fitness, is closely linked with brain preservation.
Why legs? Your leg muscles are the largest in your body and need constant communication with the brain. Training them boosts blood flow, metabolic health, and neurotrophic factors like BDNF. Leg exercises also require coordination and balance, which increases brain activity. The study measured leg extensor power, which reflects both strength and movement speed.
Do your squats, deadlifts, lunges, and leg presses. Building leg power today may support better cognitive health in the future. 🧠✨
Study: Steves et al. (2016). Kicking Back Cognitive Ageing. Gerontology.
DOI: 10.1159/000441029
PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26551663/