The effects of exercise on mood in older adults: A meta-analytic review

This meta-analysis examined the exercise-mood relationship in older adults. 158 effect sizes (ESs) from 32 studies were grouped into experimental-vers uscontrol, gains, and correlational ESs. Each study was coded for moderator variables related to descriptive, design, participant, exercise, and mood assessment characteristics. Experimental-v and positive affect (PA) were 0. 35 (p < .05) and 0.33 (p > .05), respectively, with an overall ES of 0.34, p < .05. The gains ESs for NA and PA in an exercise group were 0.39 (p < .0 5) and 0.35 (p < .05), respectively, with an overall ES of 0.38, p < .05. A ll effects were significantly greater than those for the control groups. Co rrelational ESs of 0.47 and 0.42 were found for NA and PA, respectively. It was concluded that chronic exercise is associated with improved mood in th e elderly. Moderating variables and implications for exercise prescription to improve mood in the elderly are discussed.