Eight weeks of resistance exercise improves mood state and intestinal permeability in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract To explore a potential link between resistance exercise and the gut‐brain axis, this study examined the impact of resistance exercise on intestinal permeability, as indicated by lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), and mood state in healthy adults. Sedentary participants (n = 20; 39.5 ...

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Main Authors: Emily Dow, Mario I. Hernandez, Carol S. Johnston
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-02-01
Series:Physiological Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70219
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author Emily Dow
Mario I. Hernandez
Carol S. Johnston
author_facet Emily Dow
Mario I. Hernandez
Carol S. Johnston
author_sort Emily Dow
collection DOAJ
description Abstract To explore a potential link between resistance exercise and the gut‐brain axis, this study examined the impact of resistance exercise on intestinal permeability, as indicated by lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), and mood state in healthy adults. Sedentary participants (n = 20; 39.5 ± 12.1 y; 27.4 ± 5.3 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to the resistance exercise (REX) or wait‐listed control (CON) groups. REX participants strength trained 3× weekly (advancing from 45%–55% to 70%–80% 1RM for 3–4 sets over 8 weeks). Strength testing, evaluation of mood states, and collection of fasting blood occurred at baseline and weeks 4 and 8. At baseline, LBP concentrations were inversely correlated to all strength measures (r range: −0.48 to −0.57; p < 0.05). The gain in total strength [(split squat left + right)/2 + bench press] was 45% higher for REX versus CON participants (p = 0.019), and serum LBP concentrations fell 16% for REX participants and rose 9% in CON participants (p = 0.014). Mood was significantly improved by resistance training versus control (but this improvement was not related to changes in LBP; r = −0.001). These findings support a role for resistance exercise in improving mood state and intestinal barrier function, but more research is warranted to further explore the effects of resistance training on the gut‐brain axis.
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spelling doaj-art-501b352c1bb64fcbab59f85dbe8f90012025-08-20T02:05:10ZengWileyPhysiological Reports2051-817X2025-02-01133n/an/a10.14814/phy2.70219Eight weeks of resistance exercise improves mood state and intestinal permeability in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trialEmily Dow0Mario I. Hernandez1Carol S. Johnston2College of Health Solutions Arizona State University Phoenix Arizona USACollege of Health Solutions Arizona State University Phoenix Arizona USACollege of Health Solutions Arizona State University Phoenix Arizona USAAbstract To explore a potential link between resistance exercise and the gut‐brain axis, this study examined the impact of resistance exercise on intestinal permeability, as indicated by lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP), and mood state in healthy adults. Sedentary participants (n = 20; 39.5 ± 12.1 y; 27.4 ± 5.3 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to the resistance exercise (REX) or wait‐listed control (CON) groups. REX participants strength trained 3× weekly (advancing from 45%–55% to 70%–80% 1RM for 3–4 sets over 8 weeks). Strength testing, evaluation of mood states, and collection of fasting blood occurred at baseline and weeks 4 and 8. At baseline, LBP concentrations were inversely correlated to all strength measures (r range: −0.48 to −0.57; p < 0.05). The gain in total strength [(split squat left + right)/2 + bench press] was 45% higher for REX versus CON participants (p = 0.019), and serum LBP concentrations fell 16% for REX participants and rose 9% in CON participants (p = 0.014). Mood was significantly improved by resistance training versus control (but this improvement was not related to changes in LBP; r = −0.001). These findings support a role for resistance exercise in improving mood state and intestinal barrier function, but more research is warranted to further explore the effects of resistance training on the gut‐brain axis.https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70219depressioninflammationintestinal permeabilitymental healthresistance trainingstrength training
spellingShingle Emily Dow
Mario I. Hernandez
Carol S. Johnston
Eight weeks of resistance exercise improves mood state and intestinal permeability in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial
Physiological Reports
depression
inflammation
intestinal permeability
mental health
resistance training
strength training
title Eight weeks of resistance exercise improves mood state and intestinal permeability in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial
title_full Eight weeks of resistance exercise improves mood state and intestinal permeability in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial
title_fullStr Eight weeks of resistance exercise improves mood state and intestinal permeability in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Eight weeks of resistance exercise improves mood state and intestinal permeability in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial
title_short Eight weeks of resistance exercise improves mood state and intestinal permeability in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial
title_sort eight weeks of resistance exercise improves mood state and intestinal permeability in healthy adults a randomized controlled trial
topic depression
inflammation
intestinal permeability
mental health
resistance training
strength training
url https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.70219
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AT marioihernandez eightweeksofresistanceexerciseimprovesmoodstateandintestinalpermeabilityinhealthyadultsarandomizedcontrolledtrial
AT carolsjohnston eightweeksofresistanceexerciseimprovesmoodstateandintestinalpermeabilityinhealthyadultsarandomizedcontrolledtrial