Psychological response to exercise training and/or energy restriction in obese women.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of 12 weeks of exercise training (five 45-minute walking sessions/week at 60% to 75% maximum heart rate) and/or moderate energy restriction (4.19 to 5.44 MJ or 1200 to 1300 kcal/day) on psychological general well-being (GWB) and profile of mood states (POMS) was studied in obese women (n = 91, age 45.6 +/- 1.1 years, body mass index 33.1 +/- 0.6 kg/m2).


METHODS
Subjects were randomized to one of four groups: control (C); exercise (E); diet (D); and exercise and diet (ED). Psychological variables were measured in all subjects at three timepoints--prestudy, 3 weeks, and poststudy--and analyzed using a 4 x 3 repeated measures design.


RESULTS
GWB but not POMS was improved in ED (but not E or D) relative to C poststudy, especially in four of six subscales: freedom from health concern or worry, life satisfaction; cheerful versus depressed mood; and relaxed versus tense feelings.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that the combination of moderate energy restriction and exercise training during a 12-week period improves psychological general well-being scores but not mood states in obese subjects.
Nieman
D C
DC
Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA. niemandc@appstate.edu
Custer
W F
WF
Butterworth
D E
DE
Utter
A C
AC
Henson
D A
DA
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000523:psychology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss