Affectivity responses across different resistance training variables in older adults: a systematic review

Resistance training (RT) programs for older adults typically involve manipulating variables such as load, volume of sets, frequency, and exercise selection. Overall, these variables may affect motivation, enjoyment, and adherence in older adults. Therefore, understanding the affective responses of older adults to these RT variables is crucial to designing effective and sustainable exercise programs. We aimed to investigate systematically the affective responses across different RT variables in older adults. We searched observational and experimental studies on MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, SPORTSDiscus, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and LILACS. Eligibility criteria were: (a) older adults (≥ 60 years); (b) experimental or observational study design (e.g., cross-sectional study, prospective cohort, etc.); (c) studies that investigated RT as exercise mode; and (d) studies that explored the affective responses (i.e., feeling, enjoyment) of older adults to RT variables (e.g., load, cadence, exercise order). Our main findings revealed that the load variable has received more attention in research. There was a trend among older adults favoring low-load RT protocols over high-load ones. In addition, most of studies showed that these preferences were associated with more positive affective responses, suggesting that individualized exercise programs aligned with older adults' preferences may enhance the effectiveness of RT regimens. In conclusion, our study emphasizes the importance of considering the load variable in resistance training for older adults. We found a preference for low-load protocols, linked to more positive emotional responses. Exercise programs to individual preferences may enhance the effectiveness of resistance training regimens in this demographic.