Miles for Mental Health

The purpose of this project is to assess the impact of a weekly combined walking and jogging + cognitive behavior training (CBT) intervention on cardiovascular fitness and mental health outcomes among adults living with generalized anxiety and/or depressive disorders; and to determine the relationships, if any, between the study variables (cardiovascular fitness and anxiety/depression symptoms). Adults (ages 18 years +) living in Rural Kansas will be recruited to participate in a cardiovascular exercise group via referral from their mental health practitioner (clinical psychologist or clinical counselor). Prior to study initiation, anthropometric measurements, a one mile time trial (walking, jogging or running) and submaximal Cardiovascular Fitness (VO2submax) via a field test will be administered to all participants. In addition to the physical assessments, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screening Instrument (GAD-7) will be both be administered to participants. Participants will then complete an 8-week walking/jogging + CBT exercise training program, led by the research team. The twice weekly sessions will focus on teaching individuals living with anxiety and depression how to incorporate regular cardiovascular exercise into their daily lives to benefit their mental health. Sessions will include 45-60 minutes of structured walking and/or jogging and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) exercises led by a trained practitioner (clinical counselor and clinical psychology GA). The exercise training program will be designed collaboratively by the Co-PIs, who together have 35+ years of coaching and personal training experience and graduate degrees (MS and PhD respectively) in exercise physiology/sport science. CBT exercises may include journaling, personal reflection, goal setting and other validated exercises. Participants will be encouraged to progress from walking to jogging to running as they are able over the 8-week period. All participants will receive a wearable fitness tracker to log their exercise time and distance, running shoes to use during the exercise sessions and a journal to use during CBT exercises. Upon completion of the 8-week exercise intervention, all baseline assessments will be completed again. Statistical analyses will be conducted to assess all project aims.