Multimodal Pathway Impact of Resistance Training on Depression and Anxiety
Multimodal Pathway Impact of Resistance Training on Depression and Anxiety
No Thumbnail Available
Issue Date
2025-09-15
Authors
Smolley, Reem
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The counselling experience may include a lot more than talk therapy. The experience can include discussions, strategies and action-oriented planning of lifestyle adjustments to better support clients in achieving their goals. Along with physical initiatives such as yoga or walking, resistance training may be one lifestyle addition that can be suggested by counsellors. The purpose of this capstone is to examine the impacts of resistance training (RT) on depression and anxiety. RT is the act of using resistance to employ force requiring muscle contraction. A biopsychosocial lens is used to explore the different pathways that RT impacts mental health. Using psychological, social and medical perspectives, this capstone brings together data from experimental studies, as well as meta-analyses to create a fulsome view of the positive impacts of resistance training on depression and anxiety. This research may provide evidence-based rationale for counsellors to discuss RT as an adjunct intervention for clients dealing with depression and anxiety. There are also challenges in the study of RT and mental health outcomes which results in the need for longitudinal studies, maintenance of controls allowing for natural setting versus a laboratory setting, and adherence to long-term routines. The aim of this project is to also put forth direction and ideas to further this area of study.
Description
Keywords
resistance training , anxiety , depression , adjunct therapy , counselling therapy , strength training , biopsychosocial
License
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States , openAccess