Supervised progressive resistance training in adolescent girls with primary dysmenorrhea

Sufiyan Adam Abdulahi (Haramaya University, Ethiopia)
Dessalegn Wase Mola (Ambo University, Ethiopia)
Ricardo Ricci Uvinha (University of Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Alemmebrat Kiflu Adane (Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.)
Abdi Gudeta Taye (Dambi Dollo University, Ethiopia)
Tariku Temeche Mare (Ethiopian Sport Academy, Ethiopia)
Md. Hamidur Rahman (University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh)
Nugroho Susanto (Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia)
Agam Akhmad Syaukani (Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta, Indonesia)

Journal of Coaching and Sports Science
Vol. 5 No. 3 (2026): In Press: Journal of Coaching and Sports Science

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is a gynaecological condition  amongadolescents and is accompanied by depression and anxiety. Although physical activity is recommended as a non-pharmacological strategy, evidence regarding changes following supervised progressive resistance training among adolescents remains limited. Aims: This study aimed to examine changes in depression and anxiety symptoms following an 8-week supervised progressive resistance training program among adolescent girls with moderate-to-severe primary dysmenorrhea in Haramaya Town, Ethiopia. Methods: A one-group pre-test–post-test quasi-experimental design was conducted with 41 adolescent girls aged 15–20 years from public high schools. Participants completed a supervised resistance training program three times weekly for eight consecutive weeks. Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) during days 1–3 of the menstrual cycle at baseline and during the first post-intervention menstrual cycle. Data were analyzed using Shapiro–Wilk tests, paired-samples t-tests, and Cohen’s dZ for within-participant effect sizes. Result: Significant pre-to-post reductions were observed in both outcomes. Mean BDI-II scores decreased from 32.54 ± 6.86 to 10.44 ± 7.25, t(40) = 16.38, p < .001, dz = 2.56. Mean BAI scores decreased from 33.22 ± 7.16 to 11.66 ± 7.75, t(40) = 19.75, p < .001, dz = 3.08. Descriptively, most participants shifted from moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety categories at baseline to minimal symptom categories after the program. Conclusion: Participation in the 8-week supervised progressive resistance training program was associated with reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms. However, because the study did not include a control group, the findings should not be interpreted as evidence of causality. Supervised progressive resistance training may represent a promising complementary non-pharmacological approach for supporting psychological well-being among adolescents with primary dysmenorrhea.