Director's Corner  

We all know that cardiovascular training has many physical and mental health-related benefits, including a lower risk of all causes of death, fewer heart attacks and strokes and improved body composition. Did you know resistance training has the same benefits and more? O'Connor, Herring and Caravalho (2010) completed an extensive review of the research on this topic. The research shows the following:  

Resistance Training and Improved Brain Cognition: Cognition refers to your brain's processing ability to obtain knowledge through thought, experience and the senses. Cognition research attempts to determine how we transform events and experiences into stored memory, which can be recovered and used to complete mental and physical tasks. Highly associated with cognition is executive function, the "command and control" conductor of cognitive skills. This brain control center manages all of the tasks in your life, such as writing an article, doing a research project, preparing for a class and organizing a trip.

A large amount of research on exercise and cognitive function has been completed with older adults as subjects, as it's been felt that exercise might offer this population consequential benefits in this area (Colucombe & Framer 2003). O'connor, Herring and Caravalho note that seven randomized controlled studies show that resistance training improves several aspects of cognition in healthy older adults. Uniquely, one of the most profound effects is a marked improvement in memory and memory-related tasks. Additionally, it appears that improved executive function is a major benefit, both of resistance training and of cardiovascular exercise.

Resistance Training and Self-Esteem: Self-esteem is a person's self-opinion. High self-esteem is strongly associated with positive physical and mental well-being. Resistance training has been shown to improve self-esteem in healthy adults, in populations with cancer or depression and in people undergoing cardiac rehabilitation.

Resistance Training and Sleep:

Your neighborhood IronOaks Fitness Center offers many classes, personal training and equipment designed to increase strength and cardiovascular fitness level. Please visit or call us to receive further information.