University College London funded by the British Heart Foundations findings were set forth this year at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions conference in Chicago. They presented their findings for testing cognitive decline by examining the pulse of blood vessels in the neck. Three thousand one hundred and ninety one people between the ages of 58-74 were given ultrasounds on their necks and monitored for 14 years. Those with the most intense blood pulses which indicated irregular blood flow were 50% more likely to exhibit reduced cognitive functions. The participants in the upper 25%, whose blood reached their brain with the highest intensity were almost 50% more likely to exhibit cognitive decline in the next 10 years than all those studied. The results are so strong that researchers believe a 5-minute neck scan will predict future dementia risks.

People should exercise regularly, eat healthy, manage their blood pressure and cholesterol all which contributes to safeguarding vascular flow. Yet, nationally the significant importance of neck training is overlooked in exercise and rehabilitation. Healthy blood vessels maintain a healthy blood supply to all organs. Resistance training augments skeletal muscle fiber capillarization and more blood means more energy and oxygen, which most importantly makes our brain perform better. Without question muscle capillarization is essential to maintain metabolism, fitness, and function with aging. Make neck training something that is never neglected when Getting Strong and make neck training an essential part of exercise.

At Hardpressed in Chicago…clients train the Entire System.