Cited by 313Physical Activity and HealthAging and Gerontology ResearchAging, Health, and Disability

Physical Activity, Aging, and Psychological Well-Being

McAuley, Edward, Rudolph, David·1995·Journal of Aging and Physical Activity

Abstract

This review examines the effects of exercise and physical activity on the psychological well-being of older adults. Unlike most of the literature in this area, this review focuses primarily on those psychosocial outcomes that are generally positive in nature. As well as considering the overall effects of physical activity, the roles of program length, subject sex, age, physical fitness, and measurement are considered. Overall, the results of the 38 studies reviewed are overwhelmingly positive, with the majority reporting positive associations between physical activity and psychological well-being. This relationship appears to be moderated by the length of the exercise programs; longer programs consistently report more positive results. There is little evidence that exercise has differential psychological effects on men and women or on individuals of differing ages. Whereas training protocols seem to result in significant changes in physical fitness and well-being, such improvements appear to be unrelated. The review concludes with a brief discussion of possible mechanisms underlying the physical activity/psychological health relationship, and several directions are recommended for future research.

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Crossref · 10.1123/japa.3.1.67

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Authors
McAuley, E., & Rudolph, D.
Venue
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
Published
1995-01
Volume
3
Issue
1
Pages
67-96
ISSN
  • 1063-8652 (ISSN-L)
  • 1543-267X
OpenAlex
W2109838359
Cited by
313
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 10
FWCI
3.10
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Journal of Aging and Physical Activity (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute on Aging
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
Keywords
physical activity, psychological well-being, older adults, aging, psychosocial outcomes, sex differences, age differences, physical fitness, mechanisms of exercise effects

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