Weight for It: Resistance Training Mitigates White Matter Hyperintensity-Related Disruption to Functional Networks in Older Females.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Exploratory secondary analysis of an individual randomized controlled trial.
PubMed 36155502 · doi:10.3233/JAD-220142
What was done
In an exploratory analysis of a 52-week randomized controlled trial, 32 females aged 65 to 75 years were assigned to twice-weekly resistance training (RT) or balance and tone training (control). Investigators used lesion network mapping to quantify white matter hyperintensity (WMH)-related disruption to the sensorimotor, dorsal attention, and ventral attention networks. Executive function was evaluated with the Stroop Colour-Word Test, and falls risk was assessed using the Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) and foam sway test.
What was found
Resistance training significantly reduced WMH-related disruption to the sensorimotor network compared to control (p = 0.012). Across participants, reduced disruption to the dorsal attention network correlated with improved Stroop performance (r = 0.527, p = 0.030), and reduced disruption to the ventral attention network correlated with reduced PPA fall risk scores (r = 0.485, p = 0.049).
Why it matters
This trial provides neuroimaging evidence that long-term resistance exercise may protect functional brain networks from vascular white matter damage, linking preserved network connectivity to better executive function and lower fall risk.
Limits
The sample size is very small (n = 32) and restricted exclusively to older females. Because this was an exploratory analysis, the findings are hypothesis-generating and require replication in larger, pre-registered trials. Quantitative group-level comparisons for attention networks and foam sway test results were not reported in the abstract.