Resumo

CAMPOS SALAZAR, Cinthya  e  MONCADA JIMENEZ, José. Effect of physical activities on depressive mood in Costa Rican university students. Rev. costarric. salud pública [online]. 2012, vol.21, n.1, pp.09-14. ISSN 1409-1429.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of physical activities on the depressive mood of Costa Rican university students.  Methods: Participants were 522 students (259 females and 263 males) attending the University of Costa Rica. Two categories were constructed based on the registered course goal: a) fitness class (n = 208) and b) sports class (n= 314). The data collection instruments Profile of Mood States (POMS) and Beck’s Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) were filled out at the beginning of the semester, two-weeks after, and at the end of the course. The course duration was 12 weeks long.  Results: 16.25% of the students showed light and severe depressive symptoms. A significant correlation between body mass index and depression symptoms was found among participants scoring light, moderate and severe depression mood (r =0.224; p = 0.041). Percentage change scores were found for the depression construct when participants performed sports or fitness activities; however, scores varied according to the measurement instrument used. When the BDI-II scale was used both groups showed a significant reduction in depression (p < 0.05) and when POMS scale was used the scores increased. Discussion: Finally, significant stability coefficients were found in the POMS subscales (p < 0.001) and an acceptable reliability coefficient was found for the BBI-II scale (r = 0.604; p < 0.001). In conclusion, in order to study the chronic effect of a physical activity intervention on depressive symptoms a measurement instrument such as the BDI-II is required.

Palavras-chave : Physical Fitness; students; effect; depression; Costa Rica.

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