Bibliometric analysis of the impact of resistance training on the mental health of older adults Trends and challenges

Article Sidebar

PDF (Portuguese)

Main Article Content

Luiz Eduardo Figueiredo de Uzeda
Centro Universitário Cidade Verde, Brasil
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5565-193X
Thaís Larissa Reichert
Universidad Estadual de Maringá, Brasil
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9428-4124
Joao Vitor Oblanca
Universidad Estadual de Maringá, Brasil
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3831-3729
Pollyana Mayara Nunhes
Universidad Estadual de Maringá, Brasil
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8162-0866
Kauana Borges Marchini Siqueira
Universidad Estadual de Maringá, Brasil
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8968-9355

Abstract

This study investigates the benefits of resistance training for mental health in older adults. A bibliometric analysis was conducted in the Scopus and Web of Science databases for this purpose. The study aimed to address four key questions: “1) Have publications on the topic increased or decreased over the years? 2) What are the main journals and fields that publish research on this topic? 3) What are the most frequently used keywords to approach this subject?; 4) Which are the most cited documents, and what are their main contributions?”. The results reveal a growth in the literature on the subject, with significant contributions from journals in the areas of geriatrics, psychology and exercise sciences. The most cited articles highlight the effectiveness of resistance training in mitigating depressive symptoms, improving psychological well-being and promoting functional independence among older adults. Future studies should focus on the long-term effects of resistance training, comparing different exercise modalities and evaluating their impact on various subpopulations of older adults. The integration of resistance training into health recommendations for older adults is supported by the evidence, emphasizing the importance of targeted research to optimize the benefits. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how resistance training can be used to improve mental health in older adults and provides insights for future research directions and practical applications.

Item information
Published: Aug 18, 2025
Issue: Vol. 26 No. 2 (2025): Revista Ciencias de la Actividad Física UCM
Section: Theoretical Review
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29035/rcaf.26.2.4
Keywords: Resistance training, Aged, Depression, Anxiety

Article Details

How to Cite
Uzeda, L. E. F. de, Reichert, T. L., Oblanca, J. V., Nunhes, P. M., & Siqueira, K. B. M. (2025). Bibliometric analysis of the impact of resistance training on the mental health of older adults: Trends and challenges. Revista Ciencias De La Actividad Física UCM, 26(2), 47-62. https://doi.org/10.29035/rcaf.26.2.4
References

Abrahin, O., Rodrigues, R. P., Nascimento, V. C., Da Silva-Grigoletto, M. E., Sousa, E. C., & Marçal, A. C. (2014). Single- and multiple-set resistance training improves skeletal and respiratory muscle strength in elderly women. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 9, 1775–1782. https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S68529

Araújo, C. A. (2006). Bibliometria: evolução histórica e questões atuais. Em Questão, Porto Alegre, 12(1), 11–32. https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/4656/465645954002.pdf

Brunoni, L., Schuch, F. B., Dias, C. P., Kruel, L. F. M., & Tiggemann, C. L. (2015). Treinamento de força diminui os sintomas depressivos e melhora a qualidade de vida relacionada a saúde em idosas. Revista Brasileira de Educação Física e Esporte, 29(2), 189–196. https://doi.org/10.1590/1807-55092015000200189

Cardoso, A. P., Pereira, Z. S., Lopes Júnior, D. B., Araújo-Gomes, R. C., Carvalho, P. D. P., Sarmiento Rivera, L. F., Drigo, A. J., & Borba Pinheiro, C. (2021). Efectos de un programa de entrenamiento multicomponente sobre indicadores de salud física y cognitiva de mujeres mayores. Revista Ciencias De La Actividad Física, 22(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.29035/rcaf.22.1.6

Carneiro, L., Afonso, J., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Murawska-Ciałowciz, E., Marques, A., & Clemente, F. M. (2020). The Effects of Exclusively Resistance Training-Based Supervised Programs in People with Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(18), 6715. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186715

Cassilhas, R. C., Viana, V. a. R., Grassmann, V., Santos, R. T., Santos, R. F., Tufik, S., & Mello, M. T. (2007). The Impact of Resistance Exercise on the Cognitive Function of the Elderly. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 39(8), 1401–1407. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0b013e318060111f

Cheng, A., Zhao, Z., Liu, H., Yang, J., & Luo, J. (2022). The physiological mechanism and effect of resistance exercise on cognitive function in the elderly people. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1013734

Ciolac, E. G., & Rodrigues-da-Silva, J. M. (2016). Resistance Training as a Tool for Preventing and Treating Musculoskeletal Disorders. Sports Medicine, 46(9), 1239–1248. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0507-z

Cunha, P. M., Nunes, J. P., Werneck, A. O., Ribeiro, A. S., Da Silva Machado, D. G., Kassiano, W., Costa, B. D. V., Cyrino, L. T., Antunes, M., Kunevaliki, G., Tomeleri, C. M., Fernandes, R. R., Junior, P. S., Teixeira, D. C., Venturini, D., Barbosa, D. S., Qian, Y., Herold, F., Zou, L., & Mayhew, J. L. (2023). Effect of Resistance Exercise Orders on Health Parameters in Trained Older Women: A Randomized Crossover Trial. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 55(1), 119–132. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000003030

Cunha, P. M., Werneck, A. O., dos Santos, L.., Oliveira, M. D., Zou, L.., Schuch, F. B., & Cyrino, E. S. (2024). Can resistance training improve mental health outcomes in older adults? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychiatry Research, 333, 115746. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115746

Farias, M. C. de, Borba-Pinheiro-, C. J., Oliveira, M. A., & Vale, G. de S. (2014). Efectos de un programa de entrenamiento concurrente sobre la fuerza muscular, flexibilidad y autonomía funcional de mujeres mayores. Revista Ciencias de la Actividad Física UCM. 15(2), 13-24. https://revistacaf.ucm.cl/article/view/50.

Gaia, J. W. P., Ferreira, R. W., & Pires, D. A. (2023). Exercício E Saúde Mental. Em Tópicos em ciências do movimento humano (111–120). Atena Editora. https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.54123270610

Gollie, J. M., Harris-Love, M. O., Patel, S. S., & Argani, S. (2018). Chronic kidney disease: considerations for monitoring skeletal muscle health and prescribing resistance exercise. Clinical Kidney Journal, 11(6), 822–831. https://doi.org/10.1093/ckj/sfy054

Herrman, H., Saxena, S., & Moodie, R. (Ed.) (2006). Promoting mental health: concepts, emerging evidence, practice. a report of the World Health Organization, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse in collaboration with the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation and the University of Melbourne. World Health Organization.

Izquierdo, M., Merchant, R. A., Morley, J. E., Anker, S. D., Aprahamian, I., Arai, H., Aubertin-Leheudre, M., Bernabei, R., Cadore, E. L., Cesari, M., Chen, L.-K., de Souto Barreto, P., Duque, G., Ferrucci, L., Fielding, R. A., García-Hermoso, A., Gutiérrez-Robledo, L. M., Harridge, S. D. R., Kirk, B., & Kritchevsky, S. (2021). International Exercise Recommendations in Older Adults (ICFSR): Expert Consensus Guidelines. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 25(7), 824–853. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12603-021-1665-8

Kendrick, D., Kumar, A., Carpenter, H., Zijlstra, G. A. R., Skelton, D. A., Cook, J. R., Stevens, Z., Belcher, C. M., Haworth, D., Gawler, S. J., Gage, H., Masud, T., Bowling, A., Pearl, M., Morris, R. W., Iliffe, S., & Delbaere, K. (2014). Exercise for reducing fear of falling in older people living in the community. Library Cochrane. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd009848.pub2

Kujawski, S., Kujawska, A., Kozakiewicz, M., Jakovljevic, D. G., Stankiewicz, B., Newton, J. L., Kędziora-Kornatowska, K., & Zalewski, P. (2022). Effects of Sitting Callisthenic Balance and Resistance Exercise Programs on Cognitive Function in Older Participants. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22), 14925. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192214925

Levinger, P., Dunn, J., Bifera, N., Butson, M., Elías, G. & Keith, H. (2018). Safety and feasibility of high-speed resistance training with and without balance exercises for knee osteoarthritis: A pilot randomised controlled trial. Physical Therapy in Sport, 34, 154–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2018.10.001

Lima de Barros, J.T., da Silva, L. C., dos Santos, M. A., Esteves, M. L.., dos Santos, R.B., & Ferreira, R. L. (2021). Exercício físico na prevenção e tratamento da saúde mental: uma revisão integrativa. Tripé Do Ensino Superior: Ensino, Pesquisa E Extensão, 459–468.

https://doi.org/10.4322/978-65-995353-2-1.c49

Martí-Parreño, J., Méndez-Ibáñez, E., & Alonso-Arroyo, A. (2016). The use of gamification in education: a bibliometric and text mining analysis. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 32(6), 663–676. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12161

Northey, J. M., Cherbuin, N., Pumpa, K. L., Smee, D. J., & Rattray, B. (2018). Exercise interventions for cognitive function in adults older than 50: a systematic review with meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(3), 154–160. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-096587

Prevett, C., Moncion, K., Phillips, S., Richardson, J., & Tang, A. (2022). The role of resistance training in mitigating risk for mobility disability in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 103(10), 2023-2035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2022.04.002

Robertson, D. A., Savva, G. M., & Kenny, R. A. (2013). Frailty and cognitive impairment—A review of the evidence and causal mechanisms. Ageing Research Reviews, 12(4), 840–851. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2013.06.004

Singh, N. A., Clements, K. M., & Fiatarone, M. A. (1997). A Randomized Controlled Trial of Progressive Resistance Training in Depressed Elders. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 52A(1), M27–M35. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/52a.1.m27

Su, Y.-C., Chang, S.-F., & Tsai, H.-C. (2022). The Relationship between Sarcopenia and Injury Events: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 98,754 Older Adults. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 11(21), 6474. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11216474

Tian, S., Liang, Z., Tian, M., Qiu, F., Yu, Y., Mou, H., & Gao, Y. (2024). Comparative efficacy of various exercise types and doses for depression in older adults: a systematic review of paired, network and dose–response meta-analyses. Age and Ageing, 53(10). https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afae211

Tokumaru, K., Taniguchi, C., Morikawa, S., Yamasaki, Y., & Shimada, T. (2011). The Effects of Manual Resistance Training on Improving Muscle Strength of the Lower Extremities of the Community Dwelling Elderly-A Clinical Intervention Study with A Control Group. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 23(2), 237–242. https://doi.org/10.1589/jpts.23.237

Yoon, D. H., Lee, J.-Y., & Song, W. (2018). Effects of Resistance Exercise Training on Cognitive Function and Physical Performance in Cognitive Frailty: A Randomized Controlled Trial. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 22(8), 944–951. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-018-1090-9

Downloads statistics
Download data is not yet available.
License information
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Licencia de Creative Commons
Esta obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional