An Analysis of a Prescribed and Monitored Exercise Program for Hispanic Seniors with Depression. CONCLUSIONS: Among Older Hispanic individuals with depression, exercise therapy is feasible and is associated with significant therapeutic benefit, especially if exercise is done at least three times per week.

1. Does "Working Out Work" as a
Treatment and Prevention for
Depression in Hispanic Older Adults?
Does "Working Out Work" as a
Treatment and Prevention for
Depression in Hispanic Older Adults?
Dr. Robelyn A. Garcia
Arizona State University
April 29, 2008
Dr. Robelyn A. Garcia
Arizona State University
April 29, 2008
An Analysis of a Prescribed and Monitored Exercise Program for
Hispanic Seniors with Depression

2. I. ABSTRACTI. ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate and access the
effectiveness of a prescribed and monitored exercise
program for the treatment of depression in Hispanic Older
Adults. The Dependent Variable for the study is
Depression. The Independent Variable for the study is the
Effects of Exercise and the population is older Hispanic
adults. Depression is defined by Princeton University
Scholars, (Wordnet, 2006) as a mental state characterized by
a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of
activity.
The purpose of this study was to investigate and access the
effectiveness of a prescribed and monitored exercise
program for the treatment of depression in Hispanic Older
Adults. The Dependent Variable for the study is
Depression. The Independent Variable for the study is the
Effects of Exercise and the population is older Hispanic
adults. Depression is defined by Princeton University
Scholars, (Wordnet, 2006) as a mental state characterized by
a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of
activity.

3. I. RESEARCH HYPOTHESESI. RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
´ Working Out Worksµ for older adults with depression. By
the year 2030, an estimated 70 million people will be older
than 65. It will be even more imperative that Health
professionals counsel sedentary seniors to become or stay
physically active. Exercise has been shown as the most
effective treatment for depression in elderly people. All
disciplines concur on the myriad of mental health benefits
that a regular exercise program can provide. This study will
analyze the effect of a monitored exercise program on
Hispanic Seniors to show that exercise is an effective
treatment for Depression. Based on the literature review, it
is hypothesized that a monitored exercise program will have
a beneficial effect on depression among older Hispanic
seniors.
´ Working Out Worksµ for older adults with depression. By
the year 2030, an estimated 70 million people will be older
than 65. It will be even more imperative that Health
professionals counsel sedentary seniors to become or stay
physically active. Exercise has been shown as the most
effective treatment for depression in elderly people. All
disciplines concur on the myriad of mental health benefits
that a regular exercise program can provide. This study will
analyze the effect of a monitored exercise program on
Hispanic Seniors to show that exercise is an effective
treatment for Depression. Based on the literature review, it
is hypothesized that a monitored exercise program will have
a beneficial effect on depression among older Hispanic
seniors.

4. III. THEORYIII. THEORY
The Activity Theory of Aging: The earliest Activity Theory
found associations between activity, life satisfaction, health
and well-being. This study parallels the psychosocial
transformation of the Activity Theory by George Maddox,
(Maddox, 1968). Maddox stresses that the maintenance of
social roles and activities is crucial for successful
aging.

5. IV. METHODSIV. METHODS
A. Sample Demographics TableA. Sample Demographics Table
Ethnicity Hispanic
100%
100 Participants
Gender Male 35% Female 65%
35
participants
65 Participants
Age 50-60 years 61-69 years
62
Participants
38 Participants
Marital
Status
Single 66% Married 34%
66
Participants
34 Participants

6. IV. METHODSIV. METHODS
B.B. Data Collection Plan:Data Collection Plan:
1. The subjects completed the (PAR-Q) Physical Activity
Readiness Questionnaire prior to participating in the
treatment exercise program.
2. The Treatment/Exercise Program: On completion of the
baseline assessments, participants completed the following
exercise program, three times per week for twelve weeks:
a.a. WarmWarm--upup
‡ Flexibility Exercises
‡ Strength Training Exercises
‡ Balance Activities
b.b. Exercise PrescriptionExercise Prescription
‡ Cardiovascular Endurance Activity
c.c. CoolCool--downdown
‡ Flexibility Exercises

7. IV. METHODSIV. METHODS
C.C. Measurement of VariablesMeasurement of Variables
1. Dependent Variable -- The Dependent Variable forThe Dependent Variable for
the study is Depression. Dependent Variable ofthe study is Depression. Dependent Variable of
Depression will be measured using THE MERCKDepression will be measured using THE MERCK
MANUAL OF GERIATRICS (GDS) GeriatricMANUAL OF GERIATRICS (GDS) Geriatric
Depression Scale Questionnaire.Depression Scale Questionnaire.
2. Independent Variable -- The Independent VariableThe Independent Variable
for the study is the Effects of Exercise. The populationfor the study is the Effects of Exercise. The population
is older Hispanic adults. This is measured byis older Hispanic adults. This is measured by
facilitating the GDS before and after the subject·sfacilitating the GDS before and after the subject·s
participation in the actual exercise program.participation in the actual exercise program.

8. IV. METHODSIV. METHODS
D.D. Data Analysis PlanData Analysis Plan - Descriptive statistics to analyze the
data will be used when appropriate.
1. Frequencies
2. Means
3. Standard deviations

9. VI. IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORKVI. IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIAL WORK
This study has positive implications for Social
Work practice, policy and future research. Many
social workers counsel clients with depression and
this treatment program will definitely have a
positive impact on those clients. Future research in
social work could also compare and analyze the
positive effects of a muscular strength training
exercise program vs a cardiorespiratory training
exercise program.

10. VII. CONCLUSIONSVII. CONCLUSIONS
A. This research study provides evidence and empirical
support for the importance of exercise in reducing
depression symptoms in Hispanic Senior adults.
B. A regular exercise program (3 times per week) is an
effective aid in the treatment of depression in elderly
Hispanics.
A. This research study provides evidence and empirical
support for the importance of exercise in reducing
depression symptoms in Hispanic Senior adults.
B. A regular exercise program (3 times per week) is an
effective aid in the treatment of depression in elderly
Hispanics.