Psychological responses to resistance training in middle-aged and older women

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of resistance training on selected psychological variables (perception of health status, body satisfaction, life satisfaction and depression) in elderly women. A total of 14 women, aged 55 years and above (M=63.36, SD=4.47), volunteered to participate in a 24 weeks supervised exercise intervention, three times a week on alternate days. During the first 12 weeks, women performed sets of calisthenics and weight-lifting exercises with dumbbells. During the second phase of the intervention (13-24th weeks), the strength training program also included sets of possible/typical daily living activities/tasks and needs (e.g., raising and placing weights on high shelves, stair climbing and descending, simulated car entry and exit, and carrying grocery-like bags). Measures were assessed at baseline, after 12 and 24 weeks. Within-subjects analysis indicated no significant differences between baseline and week 12 scores. Between week 12 and week 24, significant differences were found in the perceived health status (P=0.046) and depression scores (P=0.041), but not in body satisfaction and satisfaction with life. These results indicate that resistance training promotes significant improvements in the perceived health status and reductions in depressive symptoms, and suggest that resistance exercises based upon the middle-aged and older women's daily living tasks/demands and needs may be a more efficacious and beneficial type of exercise for their well-being.