Aerobic exercise training and depressive symptomatology in adults with physical disabilitie.
OBJECTIVE
To test the effects of aerobic exercise on fitness and psychological health of adults with physical disabilities.


METHODS
Nonrandomized control trial with before-after testing.


METHODS
Predata and postdata were collected at a clinical research center. Exercise occurred at home or at a community center.


METHODS
A volunteer sample of 47 adults with a physical disability were pretested; 19 completed posttesting.


METHODS
Participants volunteered for either the exercise (n = 7) or control groups (n = 12). Exercisers participated in 12 weeks of aerobic exercise at an mean intensity of 73% HRmax.


METHODS
Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), depressive symptomalogy, mastery, and self-esteem.


RESULTS
Exercisers increased VO2peak by 23%, whereas controls decreased by 19% (p < .001). Exercisers reported a 59% decrease in depressive symptoms; whereas controls reported a 6% increase (p < or = .05). A correlation of -.48 (p < or = .05) was observed between delta scores in VO2peak and depressive symptoms. Significant differences (p < or = .05) between the exercise and control groups were found on the somatic and positive affect depressive subscales.


CONCLUSIONS
Aerobic exercise improved aerobic fitness and decreased depressive symptoms in this sample. Reductions in depressive symptoms may result from physiological and/or behavioral mechanisms associated with aerobic exercise.
Coyle
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CP
Curriculum in Therapeutic Recreation, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA.
Santiago
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MC
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012649:Self Concept