Sadra Medical Journal

Effects of Eight-Week Resistance Training on Quality of Life and Sleep in Untrained Men with a History of COVID-19

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Morteza Bagheri Kalayeh 1
Abbas Ali Gaeini 1
Mohammad Reza Kordi 1
Mahdieh Bagheri Kalayeh 2

1 Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Physical Education, Shariati Technical and Vocational College, Technical and Vocational University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/smsj.2026.106205.1611
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in physical, psychological, and functional complications within the population, particularly affecting individuals who contracted the disease. Reduced quality of life (QoL) and impaired sleep quality are among the numerous challenges experienced by patients recovering from COVID-19. Consequently, the role of exercise rehabilitation following COVID-19 infection has gained significant importance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of resistance training on sleep quality and QoL in untrained men with a history of COVID-19.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 34 untrained men with a history of COVID-19 were recruited via purposeful sampling based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants were randomly allocated into either a resistance training (RT) group (n=17) or a control (CON) group (n=17). Baseline sleep quality and QoL were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), respectively. Subsequently, the RT group underwent an 8-week resistance training program, performing three sessions per week. Following the intervention, participants completed the same questionnaires again to assess their post-test scores. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 27, with the significance level set at α=0.05 (95% confidence interval).
Results: The findings indicated that 8 weeks of resistance training led to statistically significant improvements in the RT group compared to the CON group (P≤0.05). Significant improvements were observed in both the overall PSQI score (P=0.001), indicating better sleep quality, and the overall SF-36 score (P=0.001), reflecting enhanced QoL in the RT group. Notably, the positive impact of resistance training extended significantly to all assessed components of sleep quality: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction (all P≤0.05). Furthermore, significant improvements were observed across all measured dimensions of QoL: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health (role-physical), bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems (role-emotional), and mental health (all P≤0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it could be concluded that resistance training positively impacts sleep quality and quality of life in untrained men with a history of COVID-19. Therefore, resistance training might be recommended as a valuable component of rehabilitation programs for individuals recovering from COVID-19.

Keywords

Exercise
Health status
Quality of life
Sleep hygiene
COVID-19 Pandemics
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Sadra Medical Journal
Volume 14, Issue 1
Winter 2026
Pages 67-81

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