Strength Training Has Antidepressant Effects: Brand New Meta-analysis
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Strength training is important for muscle (now looked at as an endocrine organ), strength (inversely correlated with all-cause mortality), bone mineral density (prevention of osteoporosis), and aesthetic appearance. But of course, this view is far too narrow and misses the broader, often under-appreciated benefits of strength training.
To this point, researchers based in Brazil and the UK published a meta-analysis (a review of all of the latest research on a topic) on the impact of strength training on depression and depressive symptoms. Published in the journal Psychiatry Research, the researchers concluded:
- Across 29 studies, strength training has an antidepressant effect.
- Strength training leads to a significant reduction in depressive symptoms in adults diagnosed with other chronic diseases.
- Higher loads (80% of 1-rep max) were more effective for combatting depression than low loads (20% of 1-rep max).
“Strength training should be considered an adjunct strategy to treat depression or depressive symptoms.”
Take home message: There is a more powerful “why” that underpins “Why I never miss my strength training workout.”
