Resistance exercise is used extensively in athletic and general populations to induce neuromuscular adaptations to increase muscle size and performance. Exercise parameters such as exercise frequency, intensity, duration and modality are carefully manipulated to induce specific adaptations to the neuromuscular system. While the benefits of resistance exercise on the neuromuscular system are well documented, there is growing evidence to suggest that resistance exercise, even when performed acutely, can lead to neuroplastic changes within the central nervous system (CNS) and improve cognitive functioning. As such, resistance exercise has been proposed as a novel adjuvant rehabilitation strategy in populations that suffer from neurological or neurocognitive impairments (i.e. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s dementia) or even to attenuate age-related declines in cognitive health. In this review, we present evidence for the neuroplastic effects and cognitive benefits of resistance exercise and propose some of the underlying mechanisms that drive neuroplasticity following resistance training. We will further discuss the effects of exercise parameters, in particular exercise frequency, intensity, duration and modality to improve cognitive health. Lastly, we will highlight some of the existing limitations in the literature surrounding the use of resistance exercise to improve cognitive function and propose considerations to improve future studies in this field. In summary, the current evidence supports the role of resistance exercise, as a stand alone or in combination with aerobic exercise, for benefiting cognitive health and that it should be considered as an adjuvant therapy to treat age- or disease-related cognitive declines.

抗阻运动广泛用于运动和一般人群，以诱导神经肌肉适应以增加肌肉大小和性能。运动频率、强度、持续时间和方式等运动参数经过精心控制，以诱导对神经肌肉系统的特定适应。虽然抗阻运动对神经肌肉系统的益处已得到充分证明，但越来越多的证据表明，即使进行剧烈抗阻运动，也会导致中枢神经系统 (CNS) 内的神经可塑性变化并改善认知功能。因此，抗阻运动已被提议作为一种新的辅助康复策略，用于患有神经或神经认知障碍的人群（即 帕金森氏症和阿尔茨海默氏症痴呆症），甚至可以减轻与年龄相关的认知健康下降。在这篇综述中，我们提供了抗阻运动的神经可塑性效应和认知益处的证据，并提出了一些在抗阻训练后驱动神经可塑性的潜在机制。我们将进一步讨论运动参数的影响，特别是运动频率、强度、持续时间和改善认知健康的方式。最后，我们将强调文献中关于使用抗阻运动改善认知功能的一些现有限制，并提出改进该领域未来研究的考虑。总之，目前的证据支持抗阻运动的作用，作为独立的或与有氧运动相结合，