A recent research study reveals that brain endurance training (BET) enhances attention, executive function (cognitive abilities), physical endurance, and performance in resistance exercises.
Brain endurance training (BET) is a unique approach that blends cognitive exercises with physical training specifically designed for athletes, and it enhances both mental and physical capabilities in older individuals.
Researchers from the Universities of Birmingham in the UK and Extremadura in Spain recently conducted a study showing that brain endurance training (BET) effectively boosts attention, executive functions, as well as physical endurance and workout performance. Originally crafted to help elite athletes build endurance, BET combines cognitive training with physical exercise.
This study has significant implications for promoting healthy aging. Previous findings indicated that mental fatigue negatively impacts cognitive and physical abilities, resulting in decreased balance control and a higher likelihood of falls or accidents. Published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise, this research is the first of its kind to focus on the advantages of BET for cognitive and physical performance in older adults.
According to the lead researcher, Professor Chris Ring, “Our findings suggest that BET can serve as an effective method to enhance mental and physical performance in older adults, even when they’re experiencing fatigue. This is crucial for improving their healthspan and may help lower the risks of falls and accidents.”
The study involved 24 healthy, inactive women aged 65 to 78, who were divided into three groups: one for brain endurance training (BET), another for general exercise training, and a control group with no training. The BET and exercise groups participated in three 45-minute sessions each week for eight weeks. Each session included 20 minutes of resistance activities followed by 25 minutes of endurance training. However, the BET group also engaged in a 20-minute cognitive task before their exercise sessions.
All participants underwent a series of cognitive (reaction time and color-matching tests) and physical assessments (walking, chair-stand, and arm-curl tests) before and after the study. The BET group outperformed the exercise-only group in cognitive tasks, showing a 7.8% increase in cognitive performance post-exercise, compared to a 4.5% increase in the exercise-only group. In terms of physical improvements, the BET group recorded a remarkable 29.9% improvement, while the exercise-only group achieved a 22.4% increase.
Professor Ring commented, “BET effectively combats mental fatigue and its negative effects on performance in older adults. While larger studies involving both men and women are needed, these encouraging results indicate the importance of promoting BET to help older adults enhance their cognitive and physical functions.”
