Summary: Low to moderate intensity exercise significantly reduces depression rates. The umbrella review analyzed global studies and found a 23% decrease in depression risk and a 26% decrease in anxiety risk associated with physical activities like gardening and walking.
These findings underscore the importance of accessible physical activities in mental health strategies and highlight the need for exercise recommendations to be tailored to individual needs and capacities.
Key Facts:
- Low to moderate intensity physical activities reduce the risk of depression by 23% and anxiety by 26%.
- Unlike high-intensity exercise, moderate activities like walking and gardening show a stronger link to mental health benefits without increasing stress responses.
- The beneficial effects of physical activity on mental health were consistent across various demographics globally, emphasizing its universal applicability.
Source: Anglia Ruskin University
New research has found a significant association between participating in low to moderate intensity exercise and reduced rates of depression.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) carried out an umbrella review of studies carried out across the world to examine the potential of physical activity as a mental health intervention.
The analysis, published in the journal Neuroscience and Biobehavioural Reviews, found that physical activity reduced the risk of depression by 23% and anxiety by 26%.
A particularly strong association was found between low and moderate physical activity, which included activities such as gardening, golf and walking, and reduced risk of depression. However, this was not strongly observed for high intensity exercise.
Physical activity was also significantly associated with reduced risk of severe mental health conditions, including a reduction in psychosis/schizophrenia by 27%.
The results were consistent in both men and women, and across different age groups and across the world.
Lead author Lee Smith, Professor of Public Health at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said: “Preventing mental health complications effectively has emerged as a major challenge, and an area of paramount importance in the realm of public health.
“These conditions can be complex and necessitate a multi-pronged approach to treatment, which may encompass pharmacological interventions, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes.
“These effects of physical activity intensity on depression highlight the need for precise exercise guidelines. Moderate exercise can improve mental health through biochemical reactions, whereas high-intensity exercise may worsen stress-related responses in some individuals.
“Acknowledging differences in people’s response to exercise is vital for effective mental health strategies, suggesting any activity recommendations should be tailored for the individual.
“The fact that even low to moderate levels of physical activity can be beneficial for mental health is particularly important, given that these levels of activity may be more achievable for people who can make smaller lifestyle changes without feeling they need to commit to a high-intensity exercise programme.”
About this depression and exercise research news
Author: Jamie Forsyth
Source: Anglia Ruskin University
Contact: Jamie Forsyth – Anglia Ruskin University
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Physical activity and prevention of mental health complications: An umbrella review” by Lee Smith et al. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Abstract
Physical activity and prevention of mental health complications: An umbrella review
The potential of physical activity in preventing mental health issues has garnered interest among health professionals. We conducted a systematic umbrella review of evidence supporting the relationship between physical activity and the prevention of mental health complications.
Our findings revealed a significant association between higher physical activity levels and reduced risk of depression (OR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.72 – 0.82). This association was consistent across various age groups, sex, and geographical regions.
Interestingly, low and moderate-intensity physical activity showed the most significant protective effects against depression (low-intensity: OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.75–0.56; moderate-intensity: OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.72–0.87). Our analysis also showed significant associations between higher physical activity levels and prevention of anxiety disorders (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.61–0.82).
However, the evidence regarding the association between physical activity and psychosis/schizophrenia risk was less clear.
These findings underscore the physical activity’s potential as a preventative measure against mental health complications, highlighting the importance of promoting physical activity in mental health interventions.
