Resistance Training is Associated with Improved Mood in Healthy Older Adults

The is study examined the effects of 24 wk. of resistance training on mood in healthy but sedentary older adults. 28 participants performed resistance training 3 times per week for 24 weeks. No significant differences were found in mood scores between high and variable resistance groups, and there were no significant interactions between resistance and sex or intervention, or among all three factors. For pooled data, significant improvement was found on measures of Confusion, Tension, Anger, and Total Mood Scores, although not for scores for Fatigue, Vigor, and Depression. Sex differences were found on some subscales, but no significant interactions between sex and resistance training. These findings support the effectiveness of resistance training in improving mood in healthy older adults, although further study is needed to control for effect size, as well as cohort, social, and attentional effects.