Physical activity alleviates depression, three new scientific reviews confirm

Physical activity is at least for some people- an effective cure of depression, while it helps preventing it, according to three new scientific studies.

The studies, looking at facts of more than a million people, confirm that tactical exercise affects the human system and the mental health so that people get more resistant against depression.

A previous 2013 large study had not come to a final conlusion as for how exercise acts as a counterweight to depression. Some other smaller reviews had shown that physical activity improves the symptoms of severe derpession.

The new reviews (meta-analyses) that evaluated all the more recent facts, according to the New York Times, appear to have set the affair in order permanently, showing that somebody on the edge of depression has every reason to exercise regularly.

The three studies were published in “Preventive Medicine”, “Journal of Psychiatric Research” και “Neuroscience and Behavioral Reviews” medical journals, respectively.

The first research established that people training less (men and women) are 75% more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those training more. The ones in the middle concerning physical activity, stand 25% more chances to developing depression.

The second review concluded that activity, especially of medium tension (fast walking, jogging e.t.c.), that anybody can carry out, has a major positive affect on depression.

The third study, looking at blood samples of depressed people prior and after exercising, showed on the one hand a major reduction of the inflammation levels as well as an increase of the hormones and other biomarkers that indicate mental health.

The question on whether there is an ideal type of exercise or an ideal time period for preventing and curing depression remains sittl open.

Source: Lifo.gr