A Pilot Study of Strength Training in the Memory-Impaired Elderly

A Pilot Study of Strength Training in the Memory-Impaired Elderly: Reflections of a Coach

by Inna Koppel

It was my responsibility to teach participants – both those who had no cognitive impairment and those with memory problems and dementia – how to strength train in the structured environment of an assisted living facility.

For as much as they were my students, I was theirs. In my time with the study I learned a few things about training the frail, cognitively impaired elderly, and many things about the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease that went far beyond barbells.

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Originally Posted by stef

A Pilot Study of Strength Training in the Memory-Impaired Elderly: Reflections of a Coach

by Inna Koppel

It was my responsibility to teach participants – both those who had no cognitive impairment and those with memory problems and dementia – how to strength train in the structured environment of an assisted living facility.

For as much as they were my students, I was theirs. In my time with the study I learned a few things about training the frail, cognitively impaired elderly, and many things about the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease that went far beyond barbells.

Read article

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Thanks for your post. I take care of my grandparents, both of whom are octogenarians. My grandfather is 87 years old and suffers from some dementia due to a transient ischemic attack (or mini-stroke) that he had a few years ago. Both grandparents were national level athletes in their youth, and have preserved reasonably good health into this age. I really think they'd benefit from some form of strength training, and reading this just reinforces that thought.

Best article I have ever read on startingstrength.com, thank you.