Research Impact: Although the physical benefits of resistance exercise training (RET) are well established, less is known regarding the effects of RET on mental health. A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression analysis was conducted to estimate the population effect size for RET on anxiety, and determine if variables of logical/theoretical/ prior empirical relation to anxiety moderate the overall effect. RET significantly improves anxiety symptoms (∆=0.31, 95%CI 0.17-0.44); improvements were not moderated by sex, or features of the RET. Larger effects were derived from healthy participants compared to those with physical/mental illness; nonetheless, RET significantly reduced anxiety among both healthy participants and participants with an illness.
Link to Full Publication: Gordon, B.R., McDowell, C.P., Lyons, M. and Herring, M.P. The Effects of Resistance Exercise Training on Anxiety: A Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Published online 17 August 2017. Sports Medicine, pp 1-12 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-017-0769-0
Brett Gordon is a PhD Scholar in the Physical Education and Sport Sciences Department at the University of Limerick. View Brett’s profile here.
Contact Brett at brett.gordon@ul.ie
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