Running and Depression

Abstract

Two studies on the relationship between running and depression among normal persons are reported. Study 1 investigated whether a group of 21 runners were significantly less depressed, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory, than a group of 21 nonexercisers who were matched on sex, age, and height/weight ratio. The runners were significantly less depressed than the nonexercisers. Study 2 assessed whether cardiovascular fitness correlated with depression. Using scores on the Beck Depression Inventory as the criterion of depression, 17 depressed subjects and 17 nondepressed subjects took the Harvard "Step Test", the measure of cardiovascular fitness. There was a significant negative r of -.30. It is noted that the basis of the relation between running and depression is still unclear and suggestions for research are presented.