Summary
The literature review focuses on determining the biological, social, and psychological factors that can be associated with participating in resistance training. Engaging in healthy physical activity is crucial to sustaining a person’s mental and physical well-being. Cardiorespiratory exercise and resistance exercises are often advised as important to maintaining human health. Specific physical activity regimens are produced by the American College of Sports Medicine, and following them is correlated with producing positive long-term health outcomes (Baraki, 2017). By regularly subjecting oneself to some forms of training, an individual can see the substantial benefit to their body. Baraki, in his work, attempts to better understand the underlying reasons for people’s participation in resistance training (Baraki, 2017).
Methods and Subjects
The subjects for this literature review were initially a total of 77 individual articles, which were relevant to the purposes of this work. 26 of the studies were screened out based on specific limitations. In the end, 51 articles were included in the review, representing more than 163 thousand subjects across nine countries (Baraki, 2017). The data sets were subjected to a systematic review, with bias risk assessments being performed in accordance with the standard criteria. A meta-analysis of the data proved to be impossible since various studies were largely heterogeneous in their designs. For the review, the association between engagement in resistance training and other factors was evaluated. When a specific factor was shown to have an influence on RT participation greater than 59%, the factor is deemed positive (Baraki, 2017). The negative factors were documented in a similar manner, with their association needing to be greater than 59%.
Results
Five general categories for organizing the results were created, in relation to demographics, health behaviors, intrapersonal factors, interpersonal factors, and the environment. Intrinsic factors such as one’s race, sex, or employment status had no reliable association with RT participation, but the level of a person’s education did (Baraki, 2017). College graduates had a 1.7 to 2.5 increased likelihood of taking part in RT exercise (Baraki, 2017). In the health behaviors section, both smoking and alcohol used showed an inconsistent relationship with exercise, and the evidence of overall physical activity level was contradictory. Intrapersonal factors, ones that can be attributed to the individual’s own circumstances, showed a strong correlation overall, with affective judgment, self-efficacy, and self-regulatory practices all having a positive influence on RT participation (Baraki, 2017).
Interpersonal factors, such as marital status, and engagement have a strong association with RT. In regards to social support, the opinions are mixed, and the relationship between the two remains unclear. Subjective norms and social pressure seem to have a little positive effect on participation as well (Baraki, 2017). Environmental influences have only been identified as having an influence on RT participation in one case, and more research is needed in that specific area (Baraki, 2017). The study helps to highlight a variety of factors that can be both detrimental and beneficial to people’s will to engage in resistance training, which in turn can allow specialists to set more accurate goals in promoting resistance training among the population.
References
Baraki, A (2017). What factors promote participation and adherence to resistance training? Barbell Medicine.