Apr 09, 2023 20:00:00

As a result of research that exercise should be the ``first option'' for depression treatment, there is also evidence that muscle training is optimal for depression

A new large-scale study has shown that seemingly sober 'exercise' as a mental health treatment is 1.5 times more effective than existing treatments.

Effectiveness of physical activity interventions for improving depression, anxiety and distress: an overview of systematic reviews | British Journal of Sports Medicine

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2022-106195

Huge New Study Shows Why Exercise Should Be The First Choice in Treating Depression : ScienceAlert

https://www.sciencealert.com/huge-new-study-shows-why-exercise-should-be-the-first-choice-in-treating-depression

“It is well known that

physical activity can help improve mental health, but despite the evidence, physical activity is not widely adopted as a first-line treatment option.” Ben Singh, a clinical exercise physiologist at the University of South Australia, points out.

In the background of these problems, many of the previous studies on exercise and mental health have dealt with extremely diverse data such as the type and intensity of exercise, demographics, etc. It is thought that the effectiveness of exercise may be difficult to convey to the clinician who is in charge of treatment.

Singh et al.'s research team used a method called the '

umbrella review ' to assess how different types of exercise affect depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in adults. conducted a study. Umbrella reviews are systematic reviews that examine multiple studies and are subjected to further analysis, and are regarded as one of the highest levels of evidence available in modern medicine.

The research team used 12 medical databases to search exercise and mental health studies published up to January 1, 2022, including 1,039 trials with a total of 128,119 participants. We found 97 systematic reviews.

An analysis of these studies in The Umbrella Review found that exercise was 1.5 times more effective than talk therapy or medication in improving symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. About.

All types of physical activity and exercise were also found to be effective, including aerobic exercise such as walking, resistance exercises such as squats and push - ups, Pilates, and yoga. In particular, mind-body exercises that incorporate breathing and meditation, such as yoga, were most beneficial for reducing anxiety, and resistance exercises, such as strength training, were most effective for depression. matter.

Regarding trends in exercise and its effects, Singh said, ``High-intensity exercise significantly improved depression and anxiety, whereas long-term exercise was less effective than short- and moderate-time exercise. ” explains.

It may seem a little surprising that longer periods of exercise are less effective, but the research team believes that long periods of exercise can become a burden on patients, so the benefits of exercise are not diminished. I am pointing out.

The study does not deny conventional medications and therapies, but reinforces the importance of exercise in treating mental health problems. 'Physical activity improves symptoms of depression, anxiety disorders, and emotional distress in a wide range of adult groups, including the general population, those with diagnosed mental illnesses, and those with chronic illnesses,' the researchers wrote in their paper. Therefore, physical activity should be the mainstay approach in controlling these symptoms.'