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Meta-analysis: Resistance Training Improves Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment
Zhang L, Li B, Yang J, Wang F, Tang Q, Wang S. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 2020-06-29
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
This study investigated the benefits of resistance training on cognition in patients with mild cognitive impairment. We searched the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases, and seven randomized controlled trials were reviewed. We evaluated the risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration's bias assessment tool. Standard mean differences with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for statistical analysis. This meta-analysis assessed three variables: general cognitive function, executive function and working memory. The results indicate that general cognitive function improved significantly (standardized mean difference: 0.53, P=0.04), and further subgroup analyses on frequency and duration per session showed that the subgroups 'twice a week' (P=0.01) and 'duration per session > 60 min' (P=0.0006) exhibited better performance than the subgroups 'three time a week' (P=0.47) and 'duration per session <60 min' (P=0.53). Additionally, a moderate effect size was found in executive function (standardized mean difference: 0.50, P=0.0003), and there was non-significant effect in working memory (P=0.14). In summary, resistance training may mitigate mild cognitive impairment by improving cognition. Larger-scale studies are recommended to demonstrate the relationship between resistance training and cognition in mild cognitive impairment.
Key findings
- The results indicate that general cognitive function improved significantly (standardized mean difference: 0.53, P=0.04), and further subgroup analyses on frequency and duration per session showed that the subgroups 'twice a week' (P=0.01) and 'duration per session > 60 min' (P=0.0006) exhibited better performance than the subgroups 'three time a week' (P=0.47) and 'duration per session <60 min' (P=0.53).
- Additionally, a moderate effect size was found in executive function (standardized mean difference: 0.50, P=0.0003), and there was non-significant effect in working memory (P=0.14).
Why it matters
This review of seven trials found that resistance training improved general cognitive function and executive function in people with mild cognitive impairment, but not working memory. The authors call for larger studies, so it does not yet show that this training prevents or treats Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Study designmeta-analysis
- Effect sizeGeneral cognition SMD 0.53 (P=0.04); executive function SMD 0.50 (P=0.0003)
- Evidence strengthEarly
Limitations
Only seven small trials; heterogeneous protocols; effect sizes given without confidence intervals in the abstract; no dementia-incidence outcomes.
How this study scored 53/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a meta-analysis pooling many studies. Scored zero for sample size and studied in people because the record does not state it. We have no data on free to read, so that was left out: it earned 52 of the 98 points we could judge it on, which is 53 out of 100.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (International Journal of Sports Medicine) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | International Journal of Sports Medicine: journal h-index 179 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A meta-analysis pooling many studies |
| Strength of evidence | 2 / 5 | Rated “early” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 2 / 5 | 2020 — within 10 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 3 / 3 | Effect reported with a statistic (interval, p-value, ratio or similar) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomisation is not credited here |
| Times cited | 3 / 7 | Cited 35 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 4.4 citations a year over 8 year(s) since 2020 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.1× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 22 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Shuhong Wang: h-index 13 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Central South University: institution h-index 699 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 2 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 32599643) |
| Free to read | — / 2 | Access not recorded — left out of this score |
| Points | 52 / 98 | Scored on 19 of 20 parts. We have no data for the rest, so they are left out: 52 of the 98 points we could judge it on is 53 out of 100. |
| Total | 53 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
May need a subscription Unpaywall, Europe PMC and OpenAlex found no free copy of the full text (checked 10 Oct 2026), so the publisher may charge for it. The PubMed abstract is free.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Zhang, L., Li, B., Yang, J., Wang, F., Tang, Q., & Wang, S. (2020). Meta-analysis: Resistance Training Improves Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment. International Journal of Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1186-1272
Vancouver
Zhang L, Li B, Yang J, Wang F, Tang Q, Wang S. Meta-analysis: Resistance Training Improves Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 2020. doi:10.1055/a-1186-1272. PMID: 32599643.
BibTeX
@article{zhang2020-32599643,
author = {Zhang, L. and Li, B. and Yang, J. and Wang, F. and Tang, Q. and Wang, S.},
title = {{Meta-analysis: Resistance Training Improves Cognition in Mild Cognitive Impairment}},
journal = {International Journal of Sports Medicine},
year = {2020},
doi = {10.1055/a-1186-1272},
pmid = {32599643},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1186-1272}
}
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