Flywheel training showed no clear advantage for depressive symptoms in older women
A small trial compared resistance-training methods in women without clinical depression; its null comparison leaves uncertainty about whether the methods differ.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
In this abstract-based trial, depressive symptom scores decreased in both exercise groups, but flywheel training did not show a statistically significant advantage over traditional resistance training. The participants were sedentary older women without clinical depression. Because the trial compared active programs and had low statistical power, it cannot establish equivalence or treatment effectiveness for depression.
The authors report low statistical power, limiting the ability to detect a difference. The small sample and exclusion of clinical depression also narrow the conclusions that can be drawn.
What researchers found
Depressive symptom scores
Flywheel versus traditional resistance training after 8 weeks in women without clinical depression.
What participants experienced
Both groups used resistance training, and depressive symptoms were the main outcome. The flywheel devices created resistance by storing and releasing energy. Reported adverse events were mild, with no serious events.
Changes within each group
Scores falling within both groups is different from demonstrating a difference between the groups. Without a group that did not train, this comparison cannot establish how much of the change was caused by exercise.
The original publication
Flywheel resistance training and depressive symptoms in older women: a randomized controlled trial.
Andrés Pérez Bedoya É, Puerta-López LF, Garcia Agostinho PA et al.
Aging Ment Health · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41202328
- Record checked
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