Abstract
Aging is associated with physical limitations, body function satisfaction declines, and depressive symptom increases. Physical activity interventions have been related to increases in body function satisfaction and decreases in depressive symptoms. However, little is known about the extent to which improvements in function satisfaction are tied to increases in physical ability, physical activity, and mental health benefits. Forty-eight sedentary women (59 ± 6.5 yrs.) were enrolled in a 12-week walking intervention. Participants self-reported on physical function satisfaction, physical ability, depressive symptoms, and recorded daily steps with Fitbits during weeks 1 and 12. Across the intervention, we observed improvements in physical activity and body function satisfaction, as well as decreases in depressive symptoms (t(47) = -7.89; t(47) = 1.83, ps<.08, respectively). Improvements in depressive symptoms were stronger for older women, relative to younger woman, but improvements in physical function satisfaction, step counts, and physical limitations were independent of participants’ age. Body function satisfaction did not contribute to the observed depressive symptom reduction, nor was it dependent upon increases in steps. The intervention increased individuals’ daily step count and was associated with changes in mental and physical health. Although physical ability did not change, participants showed improvements in body function satisfaction, indicating the importance of differentiating subjective feelings of one’s physical functions from physical ability. These findings highlight the benefits of a manageable and low-impact walking intervention with tailored goals for each participant.