The benefits of exercise in individuals with traumatic brain injury: A retrospective study

Objective: This study examined the benefits of exercise. Design: A retrospective study. Setting: A community-based sample. Participants: A sample of 240 individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) (64 exercisers and 176 nonexercisers) and 139 individuals without a disability (76 exercisers and 73 nonexercisers). Main Outcome Measures: Scales measuring disability and handicap. Results: It was found that the TBI exercisers were less depressed than nonexercising individuals with TBI, TBI exercisers reported fewer symptoms and their self-reported health status was better than the nonexercising individuals with TBI. There were no differences between the two groups of individuals with TBI on measures of disability and handicap. Conclusions: The findings suggest that exercise improves mood and aspects of health status but does affect aspects of disability and handicap.