EXERCISE TRAINING AS AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION AMONG OLDER ADULTS

This article reviews the current literature related to exercise treatm ent and depression among older adults. Results from investigational st udies support the antidepressive effects of exercise exercise programs . Aerobic exercise is more effective than placebo or no treatment cont rols, and appears to be as effective as more traditional treatment met hods. However, a number of potential methodological problems leave the issue of exercise therapy for the treatment of depression unsettled. Some possible directions for future research are discussed along with clinical recommendations.