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Lifting Spirits: Exploring the Link Between Strength Training Intensity and Depression

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 August 2025

S. Ben Aissa ,
C. Najar ,
K. Razki ,
M. Cheour  and
F. F. Romdhane
S. Ben Aissa*
Affiliation:
Razi Hospital, La Manouba, Tunisia
C. Najar
Affiliation:
Razi Hospital, La Manouba, Tunisia
K. Razki
Affiliation:
Razi Hospital, La Manouba, Tunisia
M. Cheour
Affiliation:
Razi Hospital, La Manouba, Tunisia
F. F. Romdhane
Affiliation:
Razi Hospital, La Manouba, Tunisia
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

In recent years, the appealing aspect of strength training has grown beyond its physical benefits, promoting interest in its potential impact on mental health. Despite the curiosity, the association between it and depression remains unexplored.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to examine at the link between strength training intensity and depression levels among active gym-goers in Tunisia.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study, conducted from February to March 2024. Participants were recruited online through social media platforms (Tunisian facebook groups and fitness forums) using a posted survey link. We’ve included respondents who are 18 years of age or older who have been active in strength training with a gym membership for 1 month or more. The respondents were required to answer a questionnaire that included questions related to socio-demographic data and to provide strength training intensity related details (sessions frequency, duration, perceived overall intensity using likert scale)

Depression levels were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

Results

The overall number of participants was 72, with 86% being male. The majority of responders (n=65, 90.2%) indicated that they performed strength training exercises at least three times per week, with an average session length of 45 minutes. In terms of strength training intensity, 38.8% (n= 28) of participants reported high-intensity sessions, 48.6%(n=35) moderate-intensity sessions, and the remaining participants reported low-intensity sessions.

The mean depression score on the PHQ-9 scale was 4.3 (SD = 2.1). Implying a prevalence of minimal to mild depressive symptoms among the research population.

Strength training intensity was found to have a negative correlation with depression scores (r = -0.36, p = 0.03), suggesting that higher intensity sessions were linked with fewer symptoms of depression.

Conclusions

This study serves to shed light upon the association between strength training intensity and depression levels among Tunisian gym-goers. The findings emphasise the positive impact of strength training with higher intensity, on depressive symptoms

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

Information

Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 68 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 33rd European Congress of Psychiatry , April 2025 , pp. S663
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
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