David G. McDonald’s research while affiliated with University of Missouri and other places

What is this page?


This page lists works of an author who doesn't have a ResearchGate profile or hasn't added the works to their profile yet. It is automatically generated from public (personal) data to further our legitimate goal of comprehensive and accurate scientific recordkeeping. If you are this author and want this page removed, please let us know.

Publications (14)


Aerobic Exercise and Mood: A Brief Review, 1985-1990
  • Literature Review

April 1992

·

67 Reads

·

64 Citations

Sports Medicine

Thomas P. LaFontaine

·

Thomas M. DiLorenzo

·

·

[...]

·

David G. McDonald

The major reviews of research on aerobic exercise and mood published in the past 10 years and the well-controlled empirical studies in the last 5 years yield a number of consistent conclusions. First, researchers unanimously concluded that aerobic exercise and depression and anxiety are related in a inverse and consistent manner. Yet they consistently refrained from suggesting that this relationship involves causality. Second, studies consistently reported that aerobic exercise is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate forms of depression and anxiety. In fact, it was the conclusion of several researchers that aerobic exercise was as effective as more traditional methods of psychotherapy. Third, it consistently was reported that the increased benefits were greatest in those who were more depressed and more anxious. Fourth, it was reported consistently that an increase in cardiovascular fitness was not necessary for mood enhancement. Finally, because the few existing longitudinal studies predominantly involve pre-experimental and quasi-experimental designs, the hypothesis that exercise leads to mood changes cannot be accepted nor refuted at this time.


Psychological Predictors of Physical Performance and Fitness in U. S. Navy Personnel

June 1991

·

5 Reads

·

3 Citations

Military Psychology

Assessed the role of psychological variables (mood, physical estimation and attraction, self-concept, and personality) in predicting physical performance and fitness in 64 male and 38 female active-duty US Navy personnel. Ss performed physical performance and fitness tasks and completed standardized questionnaires. Results were analyzed by canonical correlation and multiple regression techniques. Men and women differed significantly on measures of size, body fat, and physical capacity. Findings indicate that questionnaire measures, most notably Attraction, Estimation, and Physical Self-Concept scores, can be used to predict both performance and fitness. There were no differences between men and women in significance of primary questionnaire measures to predict performance or fitness, with Attraction, Estimation, and Physical Self-Concept scores being the best predictors among all questionnaire measures in both gender groups. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved)


Meta-Analysis

January 1991

·

5 Reads

As we have stated repeatedly, the purpose of this book is to review the research on the psychological effects of aerobic fitness training. For this purpose, we use a quantitative reviewing technique termed meta-analysis. This approach to literature reviews is relatively new, and the reader might be somewhat unfamiliar with the logic and method of meta-analysis. Therefore, before dealing with the review itself, it was deemed appropriate to acquaint the reader with the historical background, development, and methods unique to meta-analysis, with special emphasis on the differences between this approach and that of more traditional research reviews.


Theory and Conclusions

January 1991

·

6 Reads

This chapter consists of three parts: (1) a summary of the findings reported in chapters 6 through 9, (2) discussion of a theoretical model of the psychological effects of aerobic fitness training, based in part on previously published theoretical work and in part on the results of our meta-analysis, and (3) indicated directions for future research.


Self-Concept Studies

January 1991

·

6 Reads

This chapter is a review and analysis of the studies of the effects of aerobic fitness training on self-concept. Self-concept is generally defined as one’s view or perception of oneself, or more simply how one sees oneself. This then includes terms such as self-awareness, self-image, self-knowledge, and also possibly self-ideal and self-esteem, although these latter terms more narrowly refer to the individual’s perception of how he/she “ought” to be, a more evaluative judgment.


Depression and Anxiety

January 1991

·

9 Reads

This chapter reviews studies that measure changes in depression and/or anxiety as a result of aerobic fitness training. The interest in depression and anxiety results from the hope that aerobic fitness training has a positive therapeutic effect.


Search Methods

January 1991

·

5 Reads

The purpose of this chapter is to outline the literature search methods used in preparation for the research review to be presented in subsequent chapters. How were specific reports chosen over all of those available, and how were the data from each report summarized? What were the primary and secondary library resources that were most helpful? Were computer assisted searches used, and with what result? Of critical importance, what criteria were developed for including versus excluding studies from the many examined? And what specific effect size (ES) calculations were made in each of the groupings to be reported? Finally, what planned comparisons were made, that is, how were studies regrouped for additional comparisons beyond those covered in the individual reports?


Personality Studies

January 1991

·

7 Reads

In this chapter, we present a critical review of the studies of the effects of aerobic fitness training on measures of personality. In this instance, the measures of personality to be reported are those derived from various objective personality questionnaires or inventories. Most of these inventories range from under 100 to over 500 items, often in true-false format, which in turn produce scores on a number of scales in the form of a profile. Investigators can (and often do) select individual scales to administer as a shortened form of the total inventory without difficulty.


Experimental Design

January 1991

·

8 Reads

The essential purpose of this chapter is to review the most important considerations in the design and execution of a study of the effects of aerobic fitness training, especially a study of the psychological effects. However, many of the points to be discussed below are broadly applicable to research on exercise in general. Throughout the review of this subject, it is always our intent to exert a constructive influence on the design of future studies in the area, as well as the interpretation of any previously reported work. This is much easier said than done, and we therefore wish to apologize in advance if our tone seems unduly critical or unsympathetic at times.


The Psychological Effects of Aerobic Fitness Training

January 1991

·

83 Reads

·

203 Citations

Numerous provocative studies on the psychological effects of aerobic fitness training are available today, and more are appearing almost on a daily basis. This book reviews and evaluates the research, and it asks and attempts to answer significant background questions: What are the various motivating factors that have contributed to the emergence of the national fitness movement? What are the public health considerations con- cerning the relationship between physical fitness and coronary heart disease? What exactly do we mean by "physical fitness," especially "aerobic" fitness? This book contains essential, in-depth data for everyone interested in the most solid and reliable information on the psychology of aerobic fitness.


Citations (3)


... The majority of early investigations into the anxiolytic effects of acute aerobic exercise examined individuals without a clinical diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. Small, but statistically significant, transient reductions in state anxiety (approximately 1/6-1/2 standard deviation) following acute bouts of aerobic exercise (compared to control conditions) have been consistently demonstrated in several quantitative reviews and meta-analyses (Ensari et al. 2015;McDonald and Hodgdon 1991;Petruzzello 2012;Petruzzello et al. 1991;Landers and Petruzzello 1994). One review quantified this change as approximately a 7.7-15.4% ...

Reference:

Exercise and Anxiety
The Psychological Effects of Aerobic Fitness Training
  • Citing Article
  • January 1991

... Due to sleep's relation to stress and cortisol, exercise may therefore affect sleep quality in a favorable manner as well. A wide breadth of research has suggested that, if controlled for extraneous variables like time management, preferred mode of exercise, etc., exercise has widespread positive effects on mood and typically shows significant reductions in perceived stress (Matamura et al., 2014;Bartholomew et al., 2005;Guszkowska & Sionek, 2009;McDonald & Hodgdon, 1991;Osei-Tutu & Campagna, 2005). In addition, evidence suggests that exercise garners better same-day cortisol reduction -achieving a lower concentration for the evening, as opposed to not exercising that day, which may aid sleep onset. ...

Psychological Predictors of Physical Performance and Fitness in U. S. Navy Personnel
  • Citing Article
  • June 1991

Military Psychology

... The varying percentage could be due to variation in sampling frame used for the respective study. The exercise was reported to be inversely related to 15,16 anxiety and depression A study done at NIMHANS by Sharma et al 17 reported prevalence of 5.8% risk for exercise addiction. ...

Aerobic Exercise and Mood: A Brief Review, 1985-1990
  • Citing Article
  • April 1992

Sports Medicine