KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
It just so happens that BDNF has a job in the body — it converts endurance muscles into strength muscles. Another way of saying this is that when people lift weights to excess — more like a body builder or a pro football player — it makes the muscles more powerful. But as a result of the impact of BDNF, it reduces endurance.
For the average person, there is a simple conclusion. Weightlifting can be very good for you if you do multiple repetitions of lighter weights.
The goal should is simple for the vast majority of us: to build strength for daily functioning.