Why Leg Strength Is the Best Predictor of Brain Health for Women Over 40 Dr. Tommy Wood

Angela and special guest Dr Tommy Wood explore the surprising, evidence-backed link between leg power and brain longevity. They discuss how relative leg strength acts as a primary predictor of cognitive processing speed in older adults, driven by the release of exerkines like IGF-1 which protect the brain’s white matter. They also reveal that you don't need to be an elite athlete to reap these benefits; simply reaching the top 25% of your demographic can significantly slash your risk of dementia and cognitive decline. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Relative leg power (strength in proportion to body size) is a critical predictor of how quickly the brain processes information as we age. Strength training triggers the release of hormones like IGF-1, which are essential for maintaining the structure and insulation of the brain's white matter, You don't need infinite strength to protect your brain; reaching the top 25% to 33% of your demographic provides the most significant protection against mortality and dementia. Achieving these health benefits is possible with a modest commitment, such as two 45-minute sessions per week focusing on full-body resistance training. VALUABLE RESOURCES • Take the BioSyncing Quiz to help you understand what’s actually happening in your body — and how to fix it. 👉 ABOUT THE HOST Angela Foster is an award winning Nutritionist, Health & Performance Coach, Speaker and Host of the High Performance Health podcast. A former Corporate lawyer turned industry leader in biohacking and health optimisation for women, Angela has been featured in various media including Huff Post, Runners world, The Health Optimisation Summit, BrainTap, The Women’s Biohacking Conference, Livestrong & Natural Health Magazine. Angela is the creator of BioSyncing®️ a blueprint for ambitious entrepreneurial women to biohack their health so they can 10X how they show up in their business and their family without burning out. CONTACT DETAILS ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Disclaimer: The High Performance Health Podcast is for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of professional or coaching advice and no client relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, or materials linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for medical or other professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should seek the assistance of their medical doctor or other health care professional for before taking any steps to implement any of the items discussed in this podcast. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠

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Why Leg Strength Is the Best Predictor of Brain Health for Women Over 40 Dr. Tommy Wood is an episode from High Performance Health by Angela Foster.

This episode is 7:39 long.

This episode was published on Apr 10, 2026.

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