Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety affect millions of people worldwide and are associated with increased morbidity and healthcare costs (1). Although several therapeutic modalities such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy appear effective in treating the disorders, evidence suggests that they are under used (2). Physical activity (PA) has a positive impact on menial health and psychological well - being. Some researchers believe that PA is useful to prevente depression symptoms (3). Due to the fact that depression symptoms among Iranians, especially young women, are increasing, and antidepressant medication is strongly used to eliminate this disorder. The purpose of this study was to investigaie the effects of a 6-week physical activity on the level of depression in female students of Shahid Chamran University in Ahvaz. 792 subjects enrolling in P. E. courses were asked to complete Beck Depression Iventory (BDI). 75 of subjects showing high depression level according to BDI, were randomly divided into aerobic, swimming and control groups. Aerobic and swimming groups took part in a training protocol consisting of 6 weeks, 3 days a week, 60 minutes a day. T. test , one -way ANOVA and Duncon follow-up test at (X=0.05 level were used to analyze the data. The results of ANOVA showed that there is a significant difference in depression level among three group in post test (a =0.02). The results of Tukey follow-up test showed that there is only a significant difference between aerobic and control groups (a =0.05). When the effect of P.A. on the level of depression was concerned, the results oft-paired test showed that there is a significant difference between pre-test and post-test in a/I tile subjects Who took part in a 6-weeks P.A. (a =0.001). The results of the present study indicate that different kinds of physical activities have a positive effect on depression symptoms. P.A. as well as medication and psychotherapy
can he used 10 reduce the level of depression. So, because our findings are in agreement with other data (4,5), ii can he concluded that PA may play an important role to reduce the depression symptoms of Iranian young female students.
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