Resistance training trial reports improved sleep scores in older women
Women who initially reported poor sleep had lower sleep questionnaire scores after supervised resistance training, with final scores below those in both control subgroups.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The clearest sleep result concerned women who started with poor sleep: their questionnaire scores fell during resistance training and ended below those in both control subgroups. Anxiety and depressive symptom scores also improved in the training groups. These results concern reported sleep and measured symptoms; the abstract does not establish whether changes lasted.
This abstract-based explanation cannot assess the full trial methods. The abstract does not give a numerical between-group sleep difference or report follow-up after the training program.
What researchers found
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score
Initially poor-sleep training subgroup, baseline versus after 12 weeks: P < 0.001. Final scores were also lower than in both control subgroups.
How outcomes were assessed
The study used questionnaires to assess sleep quality, depression and anxiety. Separate tests assessed cognition and physical function, including walking and chair stands. The supervised training program involved exercises with progressively increasing loads.
Results beyond sleep
Anxiety scores declined in both training subgroups. Depression scores also fell and ended below control values. The researchers reported statistical interaction effects for cognition and physical function, but provided no numerical changes for those outcomes.
The original publication
Impact of resistance training on sleep quality, mental health, and functional capacity in older women with varying baseline sleep quality: A randomized controlled trial.
Cunha PM, Santos LD, Herold F et al.
Psychol Sport Exerc · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40784602
- Record checked
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