Physical fitness training and counseling as treatment for youthful offenders.

Abstract

Two groups of 30 randomly selected male students in a state industrial school for youthful offenders were tested with a battery of physiological and psychological measures administered by an exercise physiologist and psychometrist, respectively. The experimental group received a systematic physical fitness program delivered by counselors for iVa hours a day, 3 days a week, for 20 weeks. The treatment included a counseling model used previously with delinquent adolescents. At the end of the treatment period all students were posttested with the same batteries of tests. Multivariate analysis of data using Hotelling's T 2 revealed significant differences between the groups on pretest measures in favor of controls. Significant differences on the posttest measures were found in favor of experimental students. Univariate analysis identified the areas of difference both physiologically and psychologically.

The Effect of Exercise on Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…26 Seven trials allocated participants through individual randomisation, 16,17,20,22,[24][25][26] and four reported using cluster randomisation. 18,19,21,23 …”

“…Two trials included females only, 24,25 one trial included males only, 20 and all remaining trials included both genders. The mean age of participants in each trial ranged from 14.7 to 17 years of age.…”

“…All trials utilized self-report outcome measures. Five trials used an outcome measure that focused solely on depression: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) 16,20 ; the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) 17 ; the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) 22 ; the Children's Depression Inventory 2 nd Version (CDI-2) 26 ; and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. 24 Three trials used outcome measures that captured both anxiety and depressive symptoms: the Beck Youth Inventory (BYI), 19,21 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).…”

“…The intervention was conducted within school settings in five trials, 18,19,21,23,25 within institution or inpatient setting in three trials, 16,20,22 and within community-based settings in three trials. 17,24,26 A limited number of trials provided an adequate description of the employed intensity exercise.…”

“…18,19,21,23,25 One trial included participants with scores indicating moderate depression from an "at risk" population in a juvenile delinquent institution. 20 Five trials recruited clinical samples: two trials recruited inpatients receiving treatment for depression or dysthymia from psychiatric inpatient settings 16,22 ; two trials included participants with a diagnosis of depression who were not currently receiving psychiatric treatment 17,24 ; and one trial included participants who were receiving outpatient treatment for depression. 26 Based on the average baseline depression score, severity of depression was interpreted as follows: severe in two trials 24,26 ; moderate to severe in one trial 22 ; moderate in two trials 17,20 ; mild in two trials 16,25 ; average (i.e., below mild) in three trials 19,21,23 ; and unable to be classified in one trial.…”