Correlations of Depression and Total Mood Disturbance with Physical Activity and Self-Concept in Preadolescents Enrolled in an After-School Exercise Program

Abstract

This preliminary investigation estimated relationships of depression and negative mood with physical activity and self-concept in 9- to 12-yr.-old boys and girls ( n = 49) enrolled in an after-school exercise program for 12 wk. Multiple regression analyses indicated that a significant portion of the variance in scores on the Profile of Mood States subscales, Depression ( R2 = .55, F = 28.00, p <.01), and Total Mood Disturbance ( R2 = .40, F = 15.02, p < .01) were accounted for by simultaneously entering self-reported days of moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week and Self-description Questionnaire-I–General Self scores into the equation. A significant reduction on Depression within the treatment group and significantly greater reductions on Depression and Total Mood Disturbance for the treatment group compared to a no-exercise program control ( n = 41) was also found. Effect sizes ( ds = .35 to .53) were somewhat lower than reported for most adult samples. Findings supported social cognitive and self-efficacy theory and an association between physical activity and improved mental health in preadolescents.