Faculty Collaboration Database

Endocannabinoid and psychological responses to acute resistance exercise in trained and untrained adults. PLoS One 2023;18(12):e0291845

Date

12/01/2023

Pubmed ID

38039265

Pubmed Central ID

PMC10691681

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0291845

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85178330078 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the effects of acute resistance exercise on circulating endocannabinoid (eCB) and mood responses in trained and untrained healthy adults.

METHODS: Thirty-two healthy adults (22.1 ± 2.9 years) were recruited from trained (reporting resistance exercise at least twice per week for ≥ previous three months) and untrained (performing no resistance exercise for ≥ previous three months) groups. Participants (13 male, 19 female) completed three sets of resistance exercise (16 repetitions at 50% 1-repetition max, 12 repetitions at 70% 1-repetition max, 8 repetitions at 80% 1-repetition max). Resistance machines targeted the legs, chest, back, and abdominal muscles. Mood states, affect, and circulating eCB concentrations were evaluated before and after resistance exercise.

RESULTS: There were significant decreases in AEA, PEA, and OEA levels following acute resistance exercise (p <0.05; ds = -0.39, -0.48, -0.65, respectively), with no significant group differences or group by time interactions. 2-AG did not change significantly. Positive affect increased significantly following resistance exercise (p = 0.009), while negative affect decreased (p <0.001). Depressive symptoms, anger, confusion, and total mood disturbance decreased significantly (p <0.05), while vigor increased significantly following resistance exercise (p = 0.005). There were no significant group differences or group by time interactions for any psychological outcomes.

CONCLUSION: These results indicate that acute resistance exercise may reduce eCB and related lipid concentrations, which is opposite to the increase in lipids typically observed with acute aerobic exercise. Furthermore, psychological improvements occur after resistance exercise regardless of decreases in eCBs, supporting the notion that psychological changes with exercise likely occur through a wide variety of biological and environmental mechanisms.

Author List

Sirotiak Z, Gallagher BT, Smith-Hernandez CA, Showman LJ, Hillard CJ, Brellenthin AG

Author

Cecilia J. Hillard PhD Associate Dean, Center Director, Professor in the Pharmacology and Toxicology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Affect
Anger
Endocannabinoids
Exercise
Female
Humans
Male
Resistance Training