Leg Power Translates to Brain Power

Puzzles can help keep your brain sharp, but so can strong legs! The connection between leg strength and cognitive function is more than just correlation- new research suggests a direct physiological link between the two. Compound leg exercises like squats or deadlifts fuel your brain by:

Boosting blood flow.

Reducing inflammation.

Enhancing insulin sensitivity.

Stimulating BDNF (protects neurons and fosters growth of new ones.)

Why lower body exercises? Legs are the largest muscle group and weighted movements generate neuromuscular activity and demand coordination from the brain’s motor control centers. A twin study found that women with stronger legs maintained sharper cognitive abilities as they aged.

Test your leg strength with two simple tests.

30-second chair stand test and single-leg balance test. The minimum chair stand test for 30 seconds is 13 times. The single leg minimum varies by age, from 24+ seconds for a 40 YO to 3+ seconds for an 80 YO.

Read the full post on Substack. Wellgevity Warrior with Daria Diaz. Leg Strength: Your Unexpected Ally Against Cognitive Decline. February 21, 2025.