Abstract

This study examined the convergent validity of the commonly reported finding that involvement in aerobic exercise enhances the mental wellbeing of participants. Measures of trait and state anxiety and depression were completed by 98 college student volunteers who described themselves as committed runners, physically active nonrunners, or sedentary. These reports of subjective distress validated by having knowledgable informants provide the same information. Results indicated that aerobic activity was associated with significantly less subjective anxiety and depression. These relationships were corroborated by the informants, who evaluated physically active people as significantly less anxious and somewhat less depressed. The subjective feelings of wellbeing that are associated with aerobic exercise thus appear to have observable social manifestations. Verf.-Referat