The effects of 12 weeks' resistance training on psychological parameters and quality of life in adults with Facioscapulohumeral, Becker, and Limb-girdle dystrophies

Psychological needs, self-efficacy, motivation, and resistance training outcomes in a 16-week barbell training program for adults

Background

Despite extensive research on the relationship between psychological factors and aerobic training, there remains a gap in understanding these relationships within resistance training (RT), particularly barbell-based RT. This study aimed to examine the associations between basic psychological needs, behavioral regulation, self-efficacy, and a longitudinal barbell-based RT program for adults.

Methods

Forty-three adults (M age = 45.09 ± 10.72) were recruited from the Competitive Edge resistance training program at a medical fitness center in Northwest Montana. The study followed an 18-week schedule: 8 weeks of training, 1 week of active recovery, and 8 additional weeks of training.

Results

The results reveal several significant findings. First, the basic psychological need for competence significantly increased from baseline (M = 5.06) to post-program (M = 5.30), (p = 0.017). Second, the composite score of the BREQ-3 significantly predicting muscular strength improvements in the deadlift (β = 3.64, p = 0.039). Third, both mastery (p = 0.021) and resilience (p = 0.007) self-efficacy subscales increased from baseline to post-program. Fourth, exploratory analyses indicated that the reasons to exercise scale predicted increases in muscular endurance with the weight management (β = 10.016, p = 0.046) and solitude (β = 6.792, p = 0.037) subscales.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the importance of psychological factors in predicting strength outcomes and muscular endurance, suggesting that psychological interventions may complement physical training to maximize benefits. This research contributes valuable insights into how psychological factors influence training outcomes, potentially guiding future interventions and program designs to better support strength development and endurance in resistance training contexts.

Effectiveness of conservative non-pharmacological interventions in people with muscular dystrophies: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Management of muscular dystrophies (MD) relies on conservative non-pharmacological treatments, but evidence of their effectiveness is limited and inconclusive.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effectiveness of conservative non-pharmacological interventions for MD physical management.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and searched Medline, CINHAL, Embase, AMED and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial (inception to August 2022). Effect size (ES) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) quantified treatment effect.

RESULTS

Of 31,285 identified articles, 39 studies (957 participants), mostly at high risk of bias, were included. For children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), trunk-oriented strength exercises and usual care were more effective than usual care alone in improving distal upper-limb function, sitting and dynamic reaching balance (ES range: 0.87 to 2.29). For adults with Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), vibratory proprioceptive assistance and neuromuscular electrical stimulation respectively improved maximum voluntary isometric contraction and reduced pain intensity (ES range: 1.58 to 2.33). For adults with FSHD, Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), strength-training improved dynamic balance (sit-to-stand ability) and self-perceived physical condition (ES range: 0.83 to 1.00). A multicomponent programme improved perceived exertion rate and gait in adults with Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) (ES range: 0.92 to 3.83).

CONCLUSIONS

Low-quality evidence suggests that strength training, with or without other exercise interventions, may improve perceived exertion, distal upper limb function, static and dynamic balance, gait and well-being in MD. Although more robust and larger studies are needed, current evidence supports the inclusion of strength training in MD treatment, as it was found to be safe.