This review highlights theory and research that have attempted to relate physical fitness training to improvements on psychological variables among normals as well as selected clinical populations. Theoretical speculations in this area are critiqued, and research designs are evaluated as either experimental or quasiexperimental and therefore interpretable, or preexperimental and therefore largely uninterpretable. The research suggests that physical fitness training leads to improved mood, self-concept, and work behavior; the evidence is less clear as to its effects on cognitive functioning, although it does appear to bolster cognitive performance during and after physical stress. Except for self-concept, personality traits are not affected by improvements in physical fitness. Mentally retarded ' children demonstrate psychological improvement following physical fitness training, but no conclusion can be reached regarding the effects of physical fitness training with other clinical syndromes. Guidelines for upgrading future research designs are discussed.

No abstract

Thirty-six adult men at high risk of coronary artery disease were assigned to either an exercise or no exercise (control) group. Improvements in physical fitness were accompanied by improvements on two mood measures, anxiety and depression. No change was found on measures of adjustment, self-confidence and body image.

A systematic desensitization procedure and 2 of its components were tested for ability to reduce stress responses in a laboratory threat situation. Ss received 1 of 4 types of training procedures before exposure to a stressful film: an analogue of therapeutic desensitization, relaxation, cognitive rehearsal, or no-training control. Stress response during the showing of a dramatic film on industrial accidents was measured by concurrent self-report, heart rate, and skin-conductance measures. The results showed that the separate components of desensitization-relaxation and cognitive rehearsal-were as effective alone as when combined in the complete desensitization program. On several measures, cognitive rehearsal appeared to be the most effective threat reducer. Further recognition and exploration of "insight" functions served by such behavior-therapy techniques as systematic desensitization is urged.

No abstract