2Atatürk Üniversitesi, Antrenörlük Eğitimi, ERZURUM Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of recreational physical exercise on physical condition and depression levels of elderly.
Materials and Method: This study which was organized in İstanbul Municipality Darülaceze covered 56 older people in total; 15 males and 13 females as exercise group and 15 males and 13 females as control group. The study lasted in six months (24 weeks). The exercise group participated in a mixed exercise program which included tai Chi, basic movements of folk dances and tera- band. 30-minute exercise program, twice a week in the first eight weeks, 40 minute program, three times a week between 8th and 20th week, 40-50 minute program four times a week between 21st and 24th week administered to the participants considering the principles of the balance and flexibility training for elderly. The intesity of the exercise was determined by speaking-test. The required regulations were done as regards beginning, development and maintenance periods. Depression (Beck's Depression Inventory, 1961 Form), strenght, flexibility, dynamic balance, aerobic endurance and six meter walking tests were applied to the participants before and after the program.
Results: The results of the research obtained from statistical analysis exposed a positive and significant increase in flexibility, strenght, dynamic balance, aerobic endurance levels and a significant decrease in depression scores.
Conclusion: Long term follow up studies on the same issue with different exercise methods could be designed.
Keywords : Recreational exercise, Older people, Depression