The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61095

Evan Atlantis, BSc¹, Chin-Moi Chow, MSc PhD¹, Adrienne Kirby, MSc², and Maria Fiatarone Singh, MD, FRACP¹. (1) School of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Sydney, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cumberland Campus, East street, PO Box 170 Lidcombe, Sydney, NSW 1825, Australia, 61 40 77 32 36, E.Atlantis@fhs.usyd.edu.au, (2) NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Locked Bag 77, Camperdown, Sydney, Australia

Introduction: This study investigates whether changes in waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI) and cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with significant improvements in mental health and quality of life outcomes (QOL) following a 24-week exercise-based intervention.

Method: Star City casino employees (~4000) were invited to participate, resulting in 73 (female=37, male=36) volunteers. Psychological, QOL and sleep quality data was collected at week 0, 8, 16 and 24 using the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS), SF-36 Health Status Survey, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Subjects were randomized into either Group A (treatment 24-weeks), or Group B (wait-list control). The treatment arm included high intensity aerobic and resistance training, plus behavior modification strategies.

Results: 40% of the cohort dropped out. Mean (SD) compliance index (for Group A) was 0.9 (±0.2). Changes in WC were associated with changes in Mental Health (r= -0.674, p=0.002), Vitality (r= -0.658, p=0.002), General Health (r= -0.475, p=0.040), Bodily Pain (r= -0.484, p=0.036), Physical Functioning (r= -0.674, p=0.002), Anxiety (r=0.542, p=0.017), and Depression (r= 0.562, p=0.012). Changes in BMI were associated with changes in Mental Health (r= -0.578, p=0.009), Vitality (r= -0.634, p=0.004), Bodily Pain (r= -0.574, p=0.010), Physical Functioning (r= -0.779, p<0.001), Anxiety (r=0.590, p=0.008) and Depression (r=0.572, p=0.011). No significant relationships were found with cardiorespiratory fitness.

Discussion: These findings suggest that improvements in body composition after exercise are associated with improvements in physical function, bodily pain, vitality, anxiety and depression, whereas changes in aerobic fitness are not related to such outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Discuss how exercise-based interventions targeting fat reduction may increase treatment efficacy in clinically depressed patients.
• 2. List the quality of life measures likely to improve concomitantly with improved body composition.
• 3. Prioritize objectives when prescribing exercise-based interventions as an adjunctive or alternative treatment in clinically depressed populations, in terms of cardiorespiratory fitness or body composition outcomes.

Keywords: Mental Health, Exercise

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.