AEROBIC EXERCISE TRAINING AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL-DISABILITIES

Objective: To test the effects of aerobic exercise on fitness and psychological health of adults with physical disabilities. Design: Nonrandomized control trial with before-after testing. Setting: Predata and postdata were collected at a clinical research center. Exercise occurred at home or at a community center. Participants: A volunteer sample of 47 adults with a physical disability were pretested; 19 completed posttesting. Intervention: 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% HR(max). Main Outcome Measures: 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 less than or equal to .05). A correlation of -.48 (p less than or equal to .05) was observed between delta scores in VO2peak and depressive symptoms. Significant differences (p less than or equal to .05) between the exercise and control groups were found on the somatic and positive affect depressive subscales. Conclusion: 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. (C) 1995 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation