Feasibility of Resistance Exercise to Treat Major Depression Via Cerebrovascular Mechanisms

Participants will complete a 16-week, twice/week supervised resistance exercise training program to increase strength. Each session will last \~60 minutes and begin and end with a 5-minute aerobic warm-up/cool-down on a cycle ergometer, elliptical, treadmill, or walked laps. Training will begin with a 1-week standard familiarization process to introduce participants to the machines, teach correct lifting techniques, and ensure participant safety and comfort with each exercise machine. Participants will perform 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions on 10 Keiser resistance machines (i.e., leg press, hamstring curl, quadriceps extension, chest press, lat pulldown, shoulder press, biceps curl, triceps extension, abdominal crunch), with a 1-minute rest time between each set. Workload will begin at 50% of the estimated 1-RMs and increase by 5-10% after any session in which a participant completes 12 repetitions in all 3 sets. The workload will be tailored based on progressive increases in strength.