Enhanced memory and hippocampal connectivity in humans 2 days after brief resistance exercise.

Introduction: Exercise has significant health benefits and can enhance learning. A single bout of high-intensity resistance training may be sufficient to improve memory. This study aimed to assess memory enhancement by a single bout of high-intensity resistance training and to examine the neural underpinnings using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Sixty young adults (34 men and 26 women), divided into the training and control groups, participated. The first session included verbal memory recall tests (cued- and free-recall), resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), and a single-bout high-intensity resistance training for the training group. Two days later, they underwent post-intervention memory tests and rs-fMRI. The study design was 2 groups × 2 sessions for memory tests, and within training group comparisons for rs-fMRI.

Results: Compared to the control group without resistance training, the training group showed higher cued-recall performance 2 days after the brief resistance training (training: +0.27, control: -0.13, interaction: p = .01), and their free-recall scores were associated with enhanced left posterior hippocampal connectivity (r = .64, p < .001).

Conclusions: These results suggest that brief high-intensity resistance exercise/strength training could enhance memory without repeated exercising. The quick effect of resistance training on memory and hippocampal connectivity could be revealed. A focused and one-shot exercise may be sufficient to enhance memory performance and neural plasticity in a few days.