Exercise for adolescents with depression: valued aspects and perceived change.
BACKGROUND
Despite systematic reviews demonstrating an association between exercise participation and reduced depressive symptoms in young people, there is no qualitative research exploring the experience of depressed adolescents who have engaged in an exercise intervention.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the experience of depressed adolescents who had recently engaged in a preferred intensity exercise intervention.


METHODS
The participants (n = 26) were recruited through health and social care services, were all in treatment for depression, and were purposefully sampled for interview following engagement in a preferred intensity exercise intervention, which was being evaluated via a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. A thematic approach was undertaken to analyse and organize the data.


RESULTS
Numerous beneficial changes were reported by participants alongside specific aspects of the intervention that were valued.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that preferred intensity exercise can lead to feelings of improved mood, enjoyment and achievement, alongside benefits that transcend depressive symptom reduction. Considering mental health nurses are in key positions to promote exercise in this population, the current findings provide vital information for this purpose.
School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
T
T
Carter
Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece.
I
I
Morres
School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
J
J
Repper
School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
P
P
Callaghan
D000293:Adolescent; D003863:Depression / Q000628:therapy*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
adolescents; depression; exercise; experience; well-being