The effects of an outdoor exercise program on mood states among the elderly

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of a 12-week outdoor recreational exercise program on the mood state of 45 sedentary elderly people aged 60 to 75. The variables comprising mood state were positive engagement, revitalization, tranquillity and physical exhaustion. Subjects were allocated to an exercise group (n=30) and a control group (n=15). Exercise was performed for one hour, two times a week, by the experimental group whereas the control group did not participate in any kind of exercise. Subjects were pre- and post-tested for the selected variables. The results show that the elderly who participated in the outdoor exercise program had significantly more positive mood profiles than non-exercisers, and the improvements in both positive and negative affect directly corresponded to their participation in the program. The findings are discussed in terms of possible future design and measurement improvements, and the need to focus research efforts on the multiple components of fitness in relation to mood state in the elderly.