A new study has claimed that resistance training improves exercise motivation and positively contributes to older adults planning their next activity sessions.

Research conducted by the University of Jyväskylä in Finland investigated the effects of a nine-month, supervised resistance training intervention on exercise motivation, exercise planning and exercise self-efficacy.

The study involved 104 healthy 65-75-year-olds, who – at the start of the study – did not meet physical activity guidelines for endurance exercise and did not have previous resistance training experience.

It found that nine months of regular resistance training increased the intrinsic motivation for both training and physical activity in general – and that the subjects started to enjoy exercising.

Additionally, exercise planning increased, indicating that the subjects began considering ways to start and maintain a physically active lifestyle.

After completing the supervised resistance training intervention, nearly half (46 per cent) of the participants continued resistance training independently.

Approximately half of them participated in resistance training on average once-a-week during the following year and the other half twice-a-week.

Participants who increased their intrinsic motivation for exercise and exercise self-efficacy during the intervention were more likely to continue resistance training twice-a-week.

"The results suggest that finding intrinsic motivation for exercise and increasing confidence to maintain a physically active lifestyle contribute to continuing resistance training independently," said Tiia Kekäläinen, PhD student, from the University of Jyväskylä.

"These factors should be taken into account in exercise interventions and exercise in general to promote continuance of behavior."