Published as a separate and in The Journal of New Medicine, 1983, 74, 8-16.

EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON CLINICAL DEPRESSION


Department of Research, Institution For The Clinically Depressed

William T. Kaestner, Kelli A. Anderson

SUMMARY

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a physical fitness program on the clinical depression of teenagers. Fifty clinically depressed teenagers were randomly divided into a control group (participated in no form of physical activities) and an experimental group (participated in a physical activity training program).
At the end of a 24-week training program the two groups showed significant differences, proving the efficiency of the experimental program. There was positive change in the mental state from pretest to post test for the experimental group only.

Many people are physically active, in many ways. Many different forms of physical activity are used, and for many different purposes. Most of the time it is used for staying in shape physically. However many times it is also used to stay mentally strong. Empirical studies have substantiated these beliefs in part. Harris (4) found that depression becomes worse with no kind of outlet or alternative for the mind. Similar to this, Anderson (2) showed that good physical condition contributes to a healthy mental state. Also, Doten (1) found that through physical activity you exercise both your mind and body. Smith (5) and Tavares (3) found that the majority of those in a depressed state are not only mentally unstable, but are mainly not in good physical condition either.
These studies suggest that, by significantly increasing the activity level through a training program followed by people in good physical and mental condition, the state of people, mentally unstable, and physically unfit should greatly improve. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a physical fitness program on the clinical depression of teenagers.


B. METHODS

1. Subjects

Ss were a group of 50, sixteen-year-old male and female patients at the Institution For The Clinically Depressed in Los Angeles, California.

2. Measuring Instruments

1. Life Test. The life test was developed by Tavares (3) and gives an overview of the types of problems relating to the cause of the individuals depression. The Ss were given a test both before and after the 24-week program. The test asked them to rate different aspects of their lives, on a scale from one to ten. Before the 24-week training period, this showed in which areas of their life the Ss were weak, after the training program, it showed in which areas, if at all the S had overcome and improved, and which were still a problem. It also provided a base for the testing.
   
2. The Smith Fitness Test. Developed by Smith (5) this test was used to find the fitness level of the Ss before and after the 24-week period. It is a test of various common exercise’s and games, that combine many physical components. This measures their progress physically.
   
3. Feelings Test. This is a test developed by Anderson (2). This is a test that is to be given to the patients throughout the 24-week period. It asks simple questions to get them to respond to what is going on around them at that point in time.
   

3. Procedure

From the Institution for the Clinically Depressed, there were 50 Ss chosen that had all been newly diagnosed with depression, and had only been at the institution for at most three months. The group selected was made up of both male and female Ss. They were all given both the Background Test, and The Smith Fitness Test. The results of both tests were recorded.
The Patients who were selected to participate in the experiment were randomly assigned to one of two groups-an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group was a physical exercise training group. They all followed schedules and programs that involved them in various physical exercise’s for training. The patients followed individual scheduled exercise’s, designed by Laporta (6) four days a week. On the other three days they were all brought together to participate in, group (team) activities. Things like soccer, basketball and baseball were played.
At the end of every week the students from both groups were given The Feelings Test. This was done to measure small everyday success’ that in the end make the biggest difference. It was all working according to these weekly tests, those participating in the experimental group were making great progress, every week overcoming more, and feeling good about themselves, and what was going on around them. The control group however was making no progress, still stuck in the same mind state. Every week results were the same, sometimes worse.
At the end of the 24-week period the experimental group and the control group were retested on the Life Test and the Smith’s Fitness Test.

1. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
   

Following the 24 week program the experimental group experienced positive reaction to what was going on around them, they had a much easier time handling not only problems, but everyday life and what was going on around them. They had an easier time talking to others, and were much more open to what others had to say. This was also shown in their post tests. Every member of the experimental group scored higher on their post tests to indicate both a more healthy mental, and physical state. Those that were in the control group made no progress during the period, everyone of them scored within a two point margarine of their pretests. This indicating no change in either their mental or physical state. Through this it can be concluded that the physical activity had a positive effect on reducing clinical depression.
Plans for the future include more extensive research, focused on how long a patient has suffered the depression, also if there is a drug that can work as the exercise, in maintaining a healthy mental and physical condition.

REFERENCES