Abstract

The effect of exercise and physical fitness programs on various psychological measures is reviewed. For nonclinical subjects, some intermediate level of physical activity seems necessary for psychological health, but personality and mood are essentially independent of exercise and fitness alone except for boarderline normals. Physical exertion may be useful as an adjunct therapy fordepression. However, there is little data at present proving exercise has any therapeutic benefit for nondepression psychopathology. Exercise, in contrast, is contraindicated for some patients. Limitations exist in attempting to justify physical activity as the sole form of psychological therapy. Problems with the methodology of research in the current literature are noted with some suggestions for future investigations. Verf.-Referat