Resistance exercise training offers benefits in treating anxiety and depression

A new study conducted by the researchers from University of Limerick in Ireland and at Iowa State University, demonstrated the effectiveness of resistance exercise training in alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The research, published in the Trends in Molecular Medicine journal, highlights the potential of resistance exercise training as an accessible alternative therapy for improving anxiety and depressive symptoms and enhancing other vital aspects of health.

"The healthful benefits of resistance exercise training, or muscle-strengthening exercise involving exerting force against a load repeatedly to generate a training response, are well-established," said Dr Herring, Associate Professor in the Physical Activity for Health Research Centre, Health Research Institute, and Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences within the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences in UL.

"However, the potential impact of resistance exercise training in the treatment of anxiety and depressive symptoms and disorders remains relatively understudied. Moreover, the plausible psychobiological mechanisms, which help us to better understand how and why resistance exercise training may improve these mental health outcomes, are poorly understood." stated Dr. Herring.

While the available studies in this area are focused on relatively small sample sizes, there is sufficient evidence from previous and ongoing research at UL and the National Institute of Health funded research at Iowa State University, to suggest that resistance exercise training does improve anxiety and depressive symptoms and disorders.

"As resistance training likely works through both shared and distinct mechanisms to achieve its positive mood effects compared to aerobic exercise, it has the potential to be used in conjunction with aerobic exercise or as a standalone therapy for these debilitating conditions.” concluded Professor Jacob D Meyer, a co-author on the study.

Reference: Matthew P. Herring, Jacob D. Meyer. Resistance exercise for anxiety and depression: efficacy and plausible mechanisms. Trends in Molecular Medicine, 2024; DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.11.016