Comparing the effects of resistance and aerobic exercise on mood-related symptoms and EEG activity in young healthy adults: A non-randomized pilot study

Background and aims

Exercise offers several benefits in combating mood-related symptoms in humans. Participation in various types of physical activity improves brain and mental health. However, the different effects and mechanisms depending on the type of exercise on an individual's mood and brain remain unclear. This pilot trial aimed to reveal the feasibility of the effects of resistance and aerobic exercise on mood-related symptoms and explain the different patterns of brain waves.

Methods

This 15-week single-arm pre-test/post-test trial including 3 measurement periods was held in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Overall, 18 healthy participants aged 19–29 years were recruited. After 6 weeks of respective aerobic and resistance exercise, anxiety/depression-related questionnaire scores and electroencephalography (EEG) changes were measured (single blinded outcome assessment). Specifically, changes in frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA), absolute band power of beta waves, and theta waves were measured in the prefrontal and frontal regions, which play a critical role in regulating mood and cognition.

Results

Resistance exercise resulted in a significant reduction in Beck Depression Inventory-II scores (p = 0.002, effect size = 0.76) while significant improvement was shown in Beck Anxiety Inventory scores (p = 0.01, effect size = 0.77) after aerobic exercise. In regarding EEG analysis, ten participants completed the assessment. After resistance exercise, there was a significant elevation in frontal beta waves (p = 0.01, effect size = 0.81). Aerobic exercise did not result in significant EEG changes. There were no adverse events related to study participation.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that resistance and aerobic exercises may be feasible for the alleviation of mood-related symptoms and EEG activities. As our pilot trial has a small sample size and did not include a control group, future research that accurately reflects the effects of different types of exercises on mood symptoms and changes of EEG activities is required.