The Effects of Exclusively Resistance Training-Based Supervised Programs in People with Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Lara Carneiro, José Afonso, Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo, Eugenia Murawska-Ciałowciz, Adilson Marques and Filipe Manuel Clemente
Additional contact information
Lara Carneiro: Department of Sport and Physical Education, University Institute of Maia (ISMAI), Castêlo da Maia, 4475-690 Maia, Portugal
José Afonso: Centre for Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport (CIFI2D), Faculty of Sport of the University of Porto (FADEUP), 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo: Human Performance Laboratory, Quality of Life and Wellness Research Group, Department of Physical Activity Sciences, Universidad de Los Lagos, Lord Cochrane, 1046 Osorno, Chile
Eugenia Murawska-Ciałowciz: Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, University School of Physical Education, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
Adilson Marques: Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisboa, Cruz Quebrada, 1499-002 Lisboa, Portugal
Filipe Manuel Clemente: Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-22

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the effects of supervised resistance training (RT) programs in people diagnosed with depression or depressive symptoms. The following databases were used to search and retrieve the articles: Cochrane Library, EBSCO, PEDro, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. The search was conducted in late June 2020. Search protocol required the title to contain the words depression or depressive or dysthymia. Furthermore, the title, abstract or keywords had to contain the words or expressions: “randomized controlled trial”; and “strength training” or “resistance training” or “resisted training” or “weight training”. The screening provided 136 results. After the removal of duplicates, 70 records remained. Further screening of titles and abstracts resulted in the elimination of 57 papers. Therefore, 13 records were eligible for further scrutiny. Of the 13 records, nine were excluded, and the final sample consisted of four articles. Results were highly heterogeneous, with half of the studies showing positive effects of resistance training and half showing no effects. In two of the four combinations, the meta-analysis revealed significant benefits of RT in improving depressive symptoms ( p ≤ 0.05). However, considering significant differences with moderate (Effect Size = 0.62) and small (ES = 0.53) effects, the heterogeneity was above 50%, thus suggesting a substantial level. To draw meaningful conclusions, future well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed that focus on understudied RT as a treatment for depression.

Keywords: exercise; health; depressive symptoms; strength training; meta-analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6715-:d:413801

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