Date of Award

1999

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

Exercise is known to improve mood and reduce depression. However, the mechanism(s) responsible for the antidepressent effects of exercise are not known. Cognitive therapy, one of the most effective psychological treatments of depression, is based on the assumption that changes in a person's negative thoughts will result in a remission of depression. The purpose of this study was to determine if a similar change in cognitions might occur with exercise. Self-report measures of mood (Profile of Mood States and Visual Analog Mood Scale) and depressive cognitions (Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire, Beck Self-Concept Test and Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale) were measured before and after a 25-minute session of treadmill walking in women presenting with symptoms of clinical depression. Following exercise, overall mood was improved and depression was reduced. In addition, depressive cognitions (automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes) were significantly reduced and self-concept was improved. The magnitude of the mood change was proportional to the change in depressive cognitions, and was greatest in those with the most seven initial symptoms. While it cannot be concluded that exercise reduces depression by altering cognitions, the results clearly demonstrate that a single exercise session can improve mood and reduce depressive cognitions in depressed and dysthymic women.

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