Effects Of Aerobic Exercise On Depressive Symptoms In Elderly

Abstract

In Spain, a progressive increase of the associated sanitary cost in problems exists of the mental disorders, for that reason the search of new cheaper, useful, feasible alternatives is necessary and of easy application in elderly. At the present time numerous studies suggest it regular physical activity is related to a reduction of the depressive symptoms. PURPOSE: To study the relation between the moderate physical activity and the depressive symptoms in elderly. METHOD: This study examined during 12 months the relation between a program of aerobic exercise of low intensity based on walking and depressive symptoms, in 180 women (61,6±6,6), of who 51% suffered dysthymic depressive disorder according to the Manual of Statistical Diagnosis and of Mental Diseases, fourth edition, reviewed text (DSM-IV-TR). No of the subjects took antidepressing medication. One valued the depressive state and the mood using the questionnaires Hamilton Rating for Scale Depression (HRSD) and Profile of Mood States (POMS) at the beginning and at the end of the exercise pogramme. RESULTS: After 12 months of exercise, the depressive group showed to significant diminutions in the melancholy (p<.041), somatitation (p<.040), index of melancholy (p<.023), stress (p<.044), tire (p<.039) and confusion (p<.044). CONCLUSIONS: The aerobic exercise in the long term produces important improvements in the symptoms of moderate depression in elderly. The exercise can be considered an alternative to the medical antidepressing treatment.