Studia Kinanthropologica 2026, 27, 57-65 | DOI: 10.32725/sk.2026.008

Association between resistance training and psychological well-being among univerzity students

T. Polívka1, M. Nosek2, & Š. Bechyně2
1 Katedra Tělesné výchovy, Pedagogická fakulta Univerzity Karlovy
2 Katedra Tělesné výchovy a sportu, Pedagogická fakulta Univerzity Jana Evangelisty Purkyně

Objective: The aim of the study was to examine the association between resistance training and psychological well-being among university students and to identify significant predictors of well-being.

Methods: The sample consisted of 162 univerzity students from the Ústí nad Labem region. Psychological well-being was assessed using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index. Resistance training involvement was measured based on frequency, duration, and subjective intensity. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Spearman’s correlation, and multiple linear regression.

Results: The mean WHO-5 score was 20.0 ± 3.79 points (approximately 80 on a 0–100
scale). No statistically significant differences in well-being were found between groups according to training involvement or gender. A weak positive correlation was observed between training intensity and well-being (ρ = 0.186; p = 0.018). Training duration showed a positive association approaching statistical significance (ρ = 0.149; p = 0.059). The regression model was not statistically significant (F(4, 157) = 1.65; p = 0.165; R2 = 0.04).

Conclusions: The findings indicate that resistance training may represent one of the factors associated with psychological well-being. Nevertheless, only weak relationships were found between resistance training characteristics and psychological well-being, and
these associations should be interpreted with caution.

Keywords: psychological well-being; resistance training; univerzity students; WHO-5; physical activity

Received: June 27, 2026; Revised: August 13, 2026; Accepted: October 1, 2026; Published: October 29, 2026  Show citation

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Polívka T, Nosek M, & Bechyně Š. Association between resistance training and psychological well-being among univerzity students. Studia Kinanthropologica. 2026;27(1):57-65. doi: 10.32725/sk.2026.008.
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