O’Sullivan Gordon Lyons 2023

RET was designed in accordance with WHO and ACSM guidelines (WHO, 2011; ACSM, 2019). The eight-week, twice-weekly intervention increased resistance progressively, such that the participant could complete two sets of between 8 and 12 repetitions before a deterioration in lifting form, or failure to complete a repetition.

Participants did weight training twice a week for 8 weeks. The weight was gradually increased so that the participants could do 8-12 reps before struggling to complete a set.

Therefore, this secondary analysis of existing randomized controlled trial (RCT) data extends past reports by quantifying the effects of ecologically-valid, guidelines-based RET on depressive symptoms among young adults with and without subclinical, or analogue, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (AGAD) and Major Depressive Disorder (AMDD).

This study, based on standard health guidelines, looked at whether resistance training could reduce depression in young adults with and without anxiety or depressive symptoms.

A significant group X time interaction was found (F(2.3,113)=10.18, p<0.001, d = 1.01[0.44 to 1.57]), such that RET significantly reduced depressive symptoms from baseline to week eight compared to the wait-list control (mean difference [Mdiff]=−5.82, p<0.001).

The results indicate that over time, resistance exercise training (RET) lowered depressive symptoms much more than the wait-list group. Symptoms dropped by six points after eight weeks on average, for those doing RET.

The large magnitude anti depressant effect of RET among those with AGAD suggests that RET may be a promising primary or adjunctive treatment for moderate depressive symptoms among young adults with clinically-meaningful anxiety, and little previous RET experience.

Resistance training can help reduce some depression in young adults who have anxiety, even those new to this type of exercise.

Researchers should conduct more studies with bigger groups and longer follow-ups to see if the benefits of resistance exercise training last. They should also compare it to other types of exercise or activities that are attention focused to be sure the improvement are from the exercise itself.

The most challenging part was understanding all the statistical analyses and how the effect sizes related to clinical significance.