The purpose of the study was to develop an explanatory model of the exercise/depression relationship using a rural-residing population of elderly aged 65 or older. Subjects were selected from the 3,673 persons who participated in the Iowa 65+ Rural Health Study. The 2,084 subjects with complete data, valid information about depressive symptoms, and ability to walk across a small room were divided into two cohort groups at baseline: those with few and those with more depressive symptoms. Logistic regression models using walking status, demographic variables, and chronic health conditions were developed to predict depressive symptoms for this population at a 3-year follow-up. Consistent with previous studies using mixed-age cohorts, physical activity was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. We concluded that the relationship between exercise and depressive symptoms may be manifested in both subjects with more and few depressive symptoms because both groups benefited from daily walking.

The purpose of the study was to ascertain the leisure practices and attitudes of a population of rural, midwestern elderly. Trained interviewers surveyed 3097 subjects in their homes. Data were analyzed at individual and activity cluster levels.Individual activity participation rates portrayed present subjects as regular gardeners, walkers, and media users. They also seemed to be fairly regular participants in games of chance. Those 75 years of age or older participated less than subjects 65-74 years old. Some sex-related patterns emerged; women were more apt to participate in home-centered activities, men more likely to report outdoor recreation pursuits. Analysis of activity clusters reflected remarkably high involvement by subjects. Taken together, individual and activity cluster analyses indicated that subjects were more active in leisure than has been suggested in past studies and that their leisure attitudes were generally positive. From a conceptual standpoint, many theories of aging and leisure suggest a positive relationship between psychological health and leisure activity patterns.

Our intention is to describe and explain the idea of leisure repertoire. Leisure repertoire is defined as the personal "library" of largely intrinsically motivated activities that the participant practices on a regular basis. The leisure repertoire is determined by two criteria: perceived competence and psychological comfort. Perceived competence relates to the individual's judgment of performance compared to members of the same age cohort and gender. Psychological comfort refers to the person's perception of performance judged in relation to personal, internal standards. The leisure repertoire of the elderly person is of particular concern because of the abundance of free time accompanying retirement and the age-related deficits limiting the person's ability to use free time meaningfully. The article closes with a discussion of the probable factors mediating the leisure repertoires of the elderly and recommendations for measurement of the leisure repertoire.

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