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.