Psychological Effects of Resistance Training

Physical activity, specifically resistance training, has been demonstrated through numerous research studies to have a positive impact on mood across diverse populations. For instance, resistance training has been shown to improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance quality of life in individuals with multiple sclerosis (Dalgas et al., 2010), increase mood and decrease anxiety in elderly individuals who engage in high resistance exercise (Cassilhas et al., 2010), and improve mood states in adults living with HIV (Jaggers et al., 2014). In addition, resistance training has been studied in various patient populations, such as patients with fibromyalgia, and has shown potential in improving mood states (Vilarino et al., 2022; Andrade et al., 2019).

These positive effects are not limited to the patient population. Healthy older adults who engaged in resistance training also experienced improved mood (McLafferty et al., 2004), and studies have found that resistance training is effective in increasing well-being and personal accomplishment and reducing perceived stress. Exercise, including resistance training, mitigates the negative effects of stress and promotes emotional well-being, particularly during periods of isolation and confinement (Williams et al., 2021).

In conclusion, the evidence from various studies suggests that resistance training has a positive effect on mood across different populations and contexts, highlighting the potential of resistance training as a valuable intervention to improve mood and emotional well-being.