Psychological response to exercise training and/or energy restriction in obese women

Objective: The effect of 12 weeks of exercise training (five 45-minute walking sessions/week at 60% to 75% maximum heart rate) and/or moderate energy restriction (4.19 to 5.44 MJ or 1200 to 1300 kcal/day) on psychological general wellbeing (GWB) and profile of mood states (POMS) was studied in obese women (n = 91, age 45.6 +/- 1.1 years, body mass index 33.1 +/- 0.6 kg/m(2)). Methods: Subjects were randomized to one of four groups: control (C); exercise (E); diet (D); and exercise and diet (ED). Psychological variables were measured in all subjects at three timepoints-prestudy, 3 weeks, and poststudy-and analyzed using a 4 x 3 repeated measures design. Results: GWB but not POMS was improved in ED (but not E or D) relative to C poststudy, especially in four of six subscales: freedom from health concern or worry, life satisfaction; cheerful versus depressed mood; and relaxed versus tense feelings. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that the combination of moderate energy restriction and exercise training during a 12-week period improves psychological general well-being scores but not mood states in obese subjects. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.