The impact of supervised exercise on the psychological well-being and health status of older veterans.
This study examined the impact of supervised exercise on the health status (measured by the Sickness Impact Profile [SIP]) and well-being (measured by the Psychological General Well-Being Index [PGWB]) of a sample of 43 elderly veterans. The intervention consisted of 90 minutes of exercise, 3 days per week at 70% of maximal capacity. Twenty-three (53%) participants completed a 1-year follow-up. The mean PGWB score increased significantly from 83.0 +/- 15.8 to 89.4 +/- 8.9 (p = .01). Cardiovascular fitness (measured by treadmill performance) increased significantly (p = .004). Baseline SIP scores were low (little dysfunction) and changed little. The study suggests that small but significant improvements in well-being accompany physiological benefits that the elderly experience with exercise.
Cowper
P A
PA
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC.
Morey
M C
MC
Bearon
L B
LB
Sullivan
R J
RJ
DiPasquale
R C
RC
Crowley
G M
GM
Monger
M E
ME
Feussner
J R
JR
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001828:Body Image; D003625:Data Collection; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006304:Health Status; D006745:Hospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 499; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina; D012649:Self Concept; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*