Study Review: Can Lifting Weights Cure Depression?!
Countless studies have recently proved a correlation between resistance training and a reduction in depressive symptoms in young adults. The two papers referenced in this blog are Effects of resistance exercise training on depressive symptoms among young adults: A randomized controlled trial and Association of Efficacy of Resistance Exercise Training With Depressive Symptoms.
55 young adults -- median age 26±5 yr; 36 female, 19 male -- diagnosed with one or more depressive disorders.
Participants sent 3 weeks becoming familiar with equipment and proper form.
Participants underwent private (1-on-1 with a trainer) resistance exercise training (RET) twice a week for an 8-week period
Participants filled out a Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) examination to measure changes in depressive symtpoms.
Though participant compliance to the regimen was only 80%, the study concludes that regular participation in "RET induced statistically significant, clinically-meaningful, large-magnitude reductions in depressive symptoms from baseline to week eight."
1877 participants were randomly assigned to RET (n=947) or a nonactive control group (n=930).
RET data was collected by age, sex, physical + mental health statuses, duration of exercise regimen, frequency and durations of RET sessions, and intensity of sessions.
RET was found to significantly reduce deppressive symptoms regardless of frquency, or durations of RET sessions. A limitation in this study was that they did not consider intensity of exercise and most individuals were prescribed a low to moderate intensity. However, the authors conclude that more frequent, shorter, vigorous RET sessions (of moderate to high intensity) could "maint[ain] positive mental health benefits" while helping individuals reach the recommended weekly movement suggestions.
Conclusion
Overall, both studies note a significant reduction in depressive symptoms in those that participated in RET sessions as low in intensity as low to moderate and as low in frequency as two times a week.
This confirms the positive effect that regular physical activity (incl. walking, stretching, etc.) has on one's mental health.