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New research finds simple type of exercise can combat depression and anxiety
New research from a University collaboration suggested that resistance training could help to fight back symptoms relating to anxiety and depression.�
Researchers from the University of Limerick in Ireland and Iowa State University teamed up in the hopes of better understanding how mental health support and exercise are related. Their findings were published in the Trends in Molecular Medicine journal.
4% of the global population experience an anxiety disorder
Professor Matthew P Herring at the University of Limerick and Professor Jacob D Meyer at Iowa State University conducted the research that resulted in exciting discoveries.�
“Anxiety and depressive symptoms and disorders are prevalent and debilitating public health burdens for which successful treatment is limited, Doctor Herring explained. “The healthful benefits of resistance exercise training, or muscle-strengthening exercise involving exerting force against a load repeatedly for the purpose of generating a training response, are well-established.
Despite prior research, the scientists argued that resistance training as a therapy method is still relatively understudied. The same could also be said about the psychobiological mechanisms that point to why it works.
He added: There is exciting evidence, particularly from our previous and ongoing research of the available studies, that suggests that resistance exercise training may be an accessible alternative therapy to improve anxiety and depression.”
Following their study, both Doctor Herring and Professor Meyer have now called on the scientific community to conduct further studies into resistance training.
“Our research will use the platform established by current research as a springboard to comprehensively evaluate these potential benefits of resistance exercise in clinical populations while also identifying who would be the most likely to benefit from resistance exercise, Meyer explained.
What is resistance training?
If youre suffering from anxiety or depression symptoms and hoping to give resistance training a try, you will need to know what exercises are included in the term.�
According to Trek, Resistance training is a form of physical activity that is designed to improve muscular fitness by exercising a muscle or a muscle group against external resistance.
As reported in Womens Health, resistance training includes any form of exercise where your muscles have to overcome an oppositional force. This can include things like weights and resistance bands, or your own weight in things like yoga and pilates.�
