Twelve Weeks of Resistance Training is Equally as Effective at Improving Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Older Women With and Without History of Depression: A Cross-Over Trial

Abstract

Background

We aimed to evaluate the effects of 12 weeks of resistance training (RT) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in older women with and without history of depression.

Methods

We included 79 older women, 52 without depression and 27 with a history of depression. 79 participants formed the waitlist control group and were instructed to maintain their habitual routine. The participants were reevaluated and attended 12 weeks of RT. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The serum levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), glucose, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density cholesterol (LDL-c), and triglycerides (TG) were used as cardiovascular risk factors. The Linear Mixed Model (LMM) was used to compare between groups.

Results

The average age of the sample was 69.3 ± 5.7 and the body mass index was 28.5 ± 4.5. The 12 weeks of RT resulted in a reduction in BAI (−3.9 [-7.1; −0.6], P < 0.05) and PHQ-9 scores (−1.4 [-3.2; −0.5] P < 0.05) in the Training group with depressive disorders. In the training group with depressive disorders, it was observed an improvement in TG (−17.1 [-43.0; −8.8]), TC (−18.6 [-35.9; −1.3]), LDL-c (−10.3 [-26.8; −6.2]), and CRP (−0.4 [-1.3; −0.5]). Similar results were found for TG, TC, and LDL-c in the Training group without depressive symptoms. No difference between RT groups was observed.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that RT is effective in improving CVD risk factors, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in older women with history of depression.