Resistance Training Reduces Both Anxiety and Depression Symptoms
Pilot study shows large lowering in depressive symptoms.
Eight weeks of resistance exercise training consistent with current exercise guidelines led to clinically meaningful, large reductions in depressive symptoms among young adults. For people with both depressive symptoms and generalized anxiety issues, resistance training also alleviated generalized anxiety symptoms. The amount of strength gained from the resistance exercise training was not linked to a reduction in depressive or anxiety symptoms; it was simply a positive side effect.
The research is described in Psychiatry Research (2023; doi: 10.1016/jpsychres.2023.115322).
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
