We mostly link a strong lower body with athleticism, and for good reason. Whether you're playing basketball or soccer, a good vertical jump comes in handy. However, research says that a strong lower body could predict how well your brain works.

As unlikely as it may sound, a study by Emily Frith at the National Library of Medicine in the US revealed that older adults with solid legs had a 34 percent lower risk of memory problems.

How Does a Strong Lower Body Communicate With Your Brain?

Research by Claire J. Steves showed that leg strength is strongly linked with long-term cognitive performance. In this twin-based study, females with powerful legs showed better memory and processing speed after a decade. Brain MRI also showed increased grey matter volume and robust activation in regions responsible for cognition.

The catalyst behind this connection is the activation of Type-2 or fast-twitch muscle fibres. These fibres predominantly contract during powerful, strength-based leg movements, depend on glucose for energy, and produce lactate, which is the key.

This lactate molecule “functions as a backup system, supplying the brain with more energy to use for thinking and memory,” said New York–based neurophysiologist Louisa Nicola. This plays a vital role for females, especially in perimenopause, because during this time period, the brain’s capability to produce efficient energy starts to reduce.

In addition, when your large lower-body muscles are continuously contracting, it helps release myokines into your bloodstream. As per Nicola, myokines are messengers, “which travel up to the brain, cross the blood-brain barrier and can affect cognitive processes.”

This is beneficial in creating and maintaining new brain cells in the memory center. So, how do you build up those leg muscles?

Strength Training for Lower-Body Strength

You can start with movements such as deadlifts and squats. These workouts target all crucial muscles in the lower body. A proper form is necessary while you work out, and in that case, any bodyweight exercise, like pistol squats and walking lunges, can help you.

Aiming for the 12-rep range also builds a solid foundation and allows you to overload progressively with more weights. Then comes the explosive movements. Tuck jumps, jumping lunges, and pop squats and advanced variations.

So what do you take on the lower body workouts now that you know leg day builds more than just your quads? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi