Brazilian scientists from the University of Sao Paulo and other scientific institutions studied the effect of strength training in combating depression. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Psychiatric Research (PsyRes).
Experts analyzed 38 previous studies involving 2,439 people. Selection criteria were carefully defined to focus on adults diagnosed with depressive disorders.
The researchers concluded that strength training led to moderate to significant improvements in depressive symptoms if patients did it regularly and devoted sufficient time to exercise.
To get a visible effect, a person needs to exercise at least three times a week and do three or more sets of each exercise. At lower frequency and intensity the antidepressant effect is preserved, but remains less pronounced.
Scientists also found that combining strength training with cardio and other types of exercise did not lead to a significant reduction in symptoms of depression.
happened before knownThis strength training improves memory.