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. 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% HRmax. 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 < 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. 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.