The impact of long-term exercise training on psychological function in older adults

J Gerontol. 1993 Jan;48(1):P12-7. doi: 10.1093/geronj/48.1.p12.

Abstract

The effect of long-term aerobic training on psychological function was examined in 87 sedentary older adults who engaged in a year-long endurance exercise training program compared with a nonexercising control group. In addition to improved cardiovascular fitness, a positive change in self-reported morale was found for the exercise condition. Of the cognitive functions measured, a significant effect was noted for the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) Logical Memory subtest; however, this effect was caused by a decline in performance from pre- to posttesting in the control group. Long-term exercise training had little, if any, effect on improving cognitive function in this older adult sample.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Affect / physiology*
  • Aged
  • Attitude
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Fatigue / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Heart Rate / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Oxygen Consumption / physiology
  • Physical Education and Training*
  • Physical Fitness
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Pulmonary Gas Exchange / physiology