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Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults: Long-Term Reduction After a Physical Activity Intervention

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We examined the effects of two physical activity modes on depressive symptoms over a 5-year period among older adults and change in physical self-esteem as a mediator of changes in depressive symptoms. Formerly sedentary, older adults (N = 174) were randomly assigned into 6-month conditions of either walking or low-intensity resistance/flexibility training. Depressive symptoms and physical self-esteem were measured before and after the 6-month intervention, and 12 and 60 months after intervention initiation. Depressive symptoms scores were decreased immediately after the intervention, followed by a sustained reduction for 12 and 60 months after intervention initiation; there was no differential pattern of change between the physical activity modes. Change in physical self-esteem predicted change in depressive symptoms. This study supports the effectiveness of an exercise intervention for the sustained reduction of depressive symptoms among sedentary older adults and physical self-esteem as a potential mediator of this effect.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Funding for this study was provided by the National Institute on Aging (Grant 2RO1 AG 12113).

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  1. Gerald J. Jerome

    Present address: Johns Hopkins University College of Medicine, Baltimore, USA

  2. David X. Marquez

    Present address: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA

    Robert W. Motl, James F. Konopack, Edward McAuley & Steriani Elavsky

  2. Department of Kinesiology, University of Illinois, 336 Freer Hall, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA

    Edward McAuley

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  1. Robert W. Motl
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Correspondence to Edward McAuley.

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Motl, R.W., Konopack, J.F., McAuley, E. et al. Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults: Long-Term Reduction After a Physical Activity Intervention. J Behav Med 28, 385–394 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-005-9005-5

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