April 1992
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67 Reads
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64 Citations
Sports Medicine
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.