Mood States of Formerly Sedentary Younger and Older Women at Weeks 1 and 10 of a Moderate Exercise Program

Abstract

This study assessed and contrasted mood changes associated with a 10-wk. moderate exercise program in 64 formerly sedentary women of different ages. Analyses of covariance, with Week 1 mood scores as the covariates, indicated that the younger exercise group ( n = 32; M age = 33 yr.) and older exercise group ( n = 32; M age = 63 yr.) showed significantly ( p < .05) more residual improvement in scores on McNair, Lorr, and Droppleman's Profile of Mood States Tension, Depression, Vigor, and Fatigue scales than a no-exercise control group ( n = 32; M age = 48 yr.). There were no significant differences in amount of improvement between the younger and older exercise groups. Across both exercise groups, amount of mood score changes over 10 weeks were negatively correlated with initial mood scores ( rs = –.22 to –.75). Limitations and research implications were discussed.