Research in Sport Medicine and Technology

Background and aims:
In many communities, the sport as a method of therapy is used to improve the
disabled and veterans' health which has been a useful and effective. The aim of
this study was to examine the effect of aerobic exercise on general health and
serotonin levels in inactive veterans. Material and method: Based on semi
experimental design 40 veterans, 25 percent impaired and with age average
40/3±1/4, were selected and randomly divided into two experimental and control
groups. Subjects in the experimental group participated in a period of 12 week’s
aerobic exercise training program, which done 3 times a week at 50-65 percent
of Vo2max. Control group did not participate in any exercise program during
study period. General health of the subjects and its subscales was measured by
the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Serotonin levels, VO2max, percent
body fat and BMI before and after training for both groups were measured
respectively. Data were analyzed using t-tests at 5% alpha error level was
performed using SPSS version 16. Results: Data analysis showed significant
difference between the two groups in general health. The difference in
psychosomatic subscales, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction and
depression were observed between two groups. Also, the results of this study
showed that after 12 weeks aerobic exercise, percent body fat, BMI and lipid
profile decreased significantly in training group. VO2max and serotonin also
increased significantly compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion:
Aerobic exercise for inactive veterans maybe effective in reducing serotonin
levels and increasing general health and placed in line health promotion
programs.