In contemporary society, population aging has become an increasingly relevant and complex reality. The care for the mental well-being of this population has become a priority in healthcare, in order to prevent the development of diseases such as depression. One of the tools used in mental health care is physical exercise, and this study aims to assess the influence of this type of activity on the levels of depression in the elderly in a city in Brazil. The research utilized a quasi-experimental methodology to examine the impacts of a physical fitness program on senior citizens served by the Basic Health Units of Aracaju, lasting for 16 weeks. The sample included 92 elderly participants (mean age: 68.24 ± 5.84), with a higher proportion of females (83.69%). The exercise program was supervised and personalized, with a focus on intensity controlled by perceived effort.The tool suggested by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was employed to evaluate signs of depression prior to and following the intervention. The results revealed a reduction in depression levels (∆% = -1.64%, p = 0.0032). It is concluded that the exercise program had a beneficial effect on the depressive symptoms of the elderly, highlighting its relevance as a complementary intervention in improving mental health in this population.The results underscore the significance of physical exercise in enhancing the psychological well-being of elderly individuals receiving care in primary healthcare settings.