Physical activity, ageing, and psychological well-being: an overview of the research

Research has shown that physical activity leads to greater psychological well-being for many young and middle-aged individuals. This paper reviews studies to determine whether there is also evidence for an association between physical activity and psychological well-being across the life span, or in the elderly. Several methodological problems related to exercise, ageing, and psychological well-being are explored. Although an association between exercise and mental well-being in the elderly is noted, there is little experimental evidence to support a conclusion that physical activity is causally related to enhanced psychological well-being in the elderly. Methodological problems, a paucity of well-controlled studies, and equivocal findings regarding the topic make it premature to conclude that physical activity leads to enhanced mental health in elderly persons.