Researchers are calling for exercise to be made a primary approach to managing depression, with a new study showing that physical activity is 1.5 times more effective than counseling or approved leading drugs.
The research paper was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, and is the most comprehensive study to date, with 97 reviews, 1,039 scientific trials and 128,119 participants.
The results showed that physical activity is very beneficial for improving symptoms of depression, anxiety and distress. Specifically, the study found that exercise interventions of 12 weeks or less were most effective in reducing mental health symptoms, highlighting the speed with which physical activity can make a difference.
The greatest benefits were seen among depressed people, pregnant and postpartum women, healthy individuals, and those with HIV or kidney disease.
According to the World Health Organization, one in eight people worldwide (970 million people) suffer from a mental disorder.
Poor mental health costs the global economy about $2.5 trillion annually, a cost that is expected to rise to $6 trillion by 2030.
UniSA lead researcher Dr Ben Singh says physical activity should be prioritized to improve the management of the rising incidence of mental health conditions.
Dr Singh explains: “Physical activity is known to help improve mental health. However, despite the evidence, it has not been widely adopted as a first-choice treatment. Our review shows that physical activity interventions can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in people with "All clinical populations, with some groups showing greater signs of improvement. High-intensity exercise had greater improvements for depression and anxiety, while longer periods of exercise had smaller effects when compared to short and medium-duration periods."
He continued: “We also found that all types of physical activity and exercise were beneficial, including aerobic exercises such as walking, resistance training, Pilates and yoga. Importantly, the research shows that it does not take much exercise to make a positive change in your mental health.” ".
Lead researcher, Professor Carol Maher of the University of South Australia, says the study is the first to assess the effects of all types of physical activity on depression, anxiety and mental distress in the entire adult population. She added: "Examination of these studies as a whole is an effective way for clinicians to easily understand the body of evidence supporting physical activity in the management of mental health disorders. We hope that this review will emphasize the need for physical activity, including structured exercise interventions, as a primary approach to managing depression and anxiety."
Source: Medical Express