Physical and Psychological Effects of Aerobic Exer

Authors: James R MacMahon Ruth T Gross

Publish Date: 1988/12/01

Volume: 142, Issue: 12, Pages: 1361-1366

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Abstract

• Aerobic exercise has been associated with improved psychological status and physical fitness in adults but its effects in adolescents have been less clear This study evaluated the effects of aerobic exercise on the selfconcept depression level and physical fitness of juvenile delinquents Ninetyeight incarcerated youths who volunteered to participate were assigned in a blind fashion to one of two exercise programs lasting three months Sixtynine completed all phases of the study and are the subjects of this report One exercise program 32 subjects emphasized aerobic exercise the other 37 subjects limited exertion Before and after participating each subject underwent measurement of selfconcept mood and physical fitness While the aerobic and comparison groups were initially similar the data demonstrated an association between participation in the aerobic exercise program and improved selfconcept mood and fitness Improvement in psychological variables was not dependent on improved physical fitness and was not related to preintervention measures

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