<ArticleSet>
<Article>
<Journal>
<PublisherName></PublisherName>
<JournalTitle>International Journal of Preventive Medicine</JournalTitle>
<Issn>2008-7802</Issn>
<Volume>3</Volume>
<Issue>3(S)</Issue>
<PubDate>
<Year>2012</Year>
<Month>03</Month>
<Day>10</Day>
</PubDate>
</Journal>
<ArticleTitle>Mental disorder prevention and physical activity in Iranian elderly</ArticleTitle>
<FirstPage>536</FirstPage>
<LastPage>536</LastPage>
<Language>EN</Language>
<AuthorList>
<Author>
<FirstName>Seyede Salehe</FirstName>
<LastName>Mortazavi</LastName>
<Affiliation>. info@ijpm.ir</Affiliation>
</Author>
<Author>
<FirstName>Kazem</FirstName>
<LastName>Mohammad</LastName>
</Author>
<Author>
<FirstName>Hasan</FirstName>
<LastName>Eftekhar Ardebili</LastName>
</Author>
<Author>
<FirstName>Dorali Ben</FirstName>
<LastName>Beni</LastName>
</Author>
<Author>
<FirstName>Maryam</FirstName>
<LastName>Mahmoodi</LastName>
</Author>
<Author>
<FirstName>Ammar</FirstName>
<LastName>Hassanzadeh Keshteli</LastName>
</Author>
</AuthorList>
<History>
<PubDate>
<Year>2012</Year>
<Month>03</Month>
<Day>10</Day>
</PubDate>
</History>
<Abstract>Background: Mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and dementia are common in elderly. However, physical activity is suggested to be effective in preventing such aging-related disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of physical activity on mental health in later life. Methods: Four hundred elderly people were randomly divided into the intervention and control groups. The intervention consisted of exercise twice a week for two months. Mental health status before, just after, and three months after the study was assessed with the 28-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28(.Results: The mean of the GHQ-28 total scale decreased in the case group and this change remained significant after three months (before: 8 &plusmn; 5.5, after three months: 5.6 &plusmn; 4.6, p &lt; .001). GHQ subscales including somatization, anxiety, social dysfunction, and depression decreased significantly in the case group just after and three months after the intervention.Conclusion: Physical activity significantly prevents mental disorder in older adults. Although it has effects on anxiety, social dysfunction, and depression, the greatest influence is on improving the somatization symptoms.Keywords: Aging, GHQ-28, mental health, physical activity</Abstract>
</Article>
</ArticleSet>