The Effects of Physical Fitness on Depression on Female Adolescents

Million of Americans go through the blues and sad moments from clinical depression each year. Most patients with depression first seek treatment from a therapist or a primary care provider. However, exercise is a developmental behavior intervention that has displayed strong promise in alleviating symptoms of depression. The objective is examine whether physical activity is associated with depression in an average size population based on gender and age. A total of 310 participates ( 123 Male and 184 females and 3 other ) of UO students and other random volunteered to participate. All participants age ranged from 14 to 99, had to completed two self- report questionnaires. Besides answering question on their exercise habits during the past week, also took into account that all participants also completed CES-D questionnaire that determine their depression levels. In the surveyed there was a lower level of depression with more frequent weekly exercise give it a negative correlation. Also with the duration question, showed a significant negative correlation with the levels of depression. The efficiency of exercise in reducing depression cannot be determined because of the small size of participates and the lack of excellent quality research on population with adequate follow up

ReferencesAnnesi, J. (2005). Changes in depressed mood associated with 10 weeks of moderate cardiovascular exercise in formerly sedentary adults. Psychological Reports, 96, 855-862.

The purpose of this study is to examine between obesity and how it causes depression on adolescent girls.

One group took part in an aerobic exercise program, another was given SSRI, (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) which is a used as an antidepressant in many athletes struggling to cope with pressure. The third group was to do both of the programs together. At the 16-week mark, depression had lowered in all three groups. In fact, about 60-70% of the participants could no longer be classified as having severe depression (June 2009 Harvard Medical School). The groups scores rating on levels of depression were relatively the same, this suggests that for those who need or want to avoid drugs, exercise in a suitable substitute for antidepressants. Keep in mind though, that the swiftest response occurred with the group taking antidepressants and that it can be difficult to stay motivated to exercise when you are depressed. This shows how beneficial exercise can be when trying to relieve depression in athletes and social sport participants but this is not true for elite athletes as exercise is already a massive contributor to their lives, so although that exercise can help people suffering from depression, there is clearly other severe factors that are affecting an elite athletes mental

While the research of Blumenthal et al. (2007) focused on exercise being effective in reducing self-reported depressive symptoms, Diaz and Motta (2008) and Motta, Kuligowski, and Marino (2010) looked at the positive effects of exercise on depression, anxiety and PTSD. The theory of exercise’s positive effect on mental health has heavily been focused on

Many mental disorders and diseases can be treated overtime or minimised through physical activity and exercise in studies confirmed by Norway scientists; highlighting that through a four-year study depression, anxiety cardiovascular diseases are decreased in adults that engage in regular exercise (Zshuckle, Gaudiltz and Ströhle, 2013). As research shows us, the relationship between PTSD and poor physical health is predominant in the case of fear; restricting the patient in partaking in physical

An exercise intervention could be used especially because people who are depressed feel a sense of worthlessness (as in the definition of depression, DSM-V ) . A pilot study by Nadine McGale et al (2011) investigated the effectiveness of a team-based sport with an individual exercise and a control condition of young men. This study included a 10-week randomized control trial and an 8-week post intervention follow-up. A group of 104 sedentary males (exercise once or less per week) aged between 18 and 40 years were randomly assigned to the three groups namely the team-based sport, individual exercise and the control group (that received no intervention). The participants completed the Becks Depression Inventory- 2nd

Since 1990s, many scientists agree that exercise has positive impacts on people’s physical health and mental health (SIME WE, 1987). From Morgan and O’Connor’s research, people can reduce stress and state anxiety by doing physical activities; also gain emotional pleasure from the process (Morgan and O’Connor, 1988). Later in 1997, Landers states that physical activities can reduce people depression after weeks of regular and routine exercise. In addition, people can benefit from more

In the book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and The Brain by Dr. John J. Ratey, MD (2008), Ratey discuses how exercise can help treat many mood disorders and how it can help strengthen our brains. This book is divided into ten chapters all with five to ten subsections in them. The chapters include: Welcome to the revolution: A Case Study on Exercise and the brain, Learning, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Attention Deficit, Addiction, Hormonal Changers, Aging, and the Regimen.

When dealing with depression one must have a large amount of mental strength and stability to fight off the symptoms and avoid giving into the depression. In the novel The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Oscar battled depression for a while after moving to the U.S. living in his apartment. One day Oscar could not take it and he let his thoughts overcome him, he managed to get to a ledge and, “…He threw himself into the darkness…” (176). Oscar was in a very difficult situation, as are all other people with depression, and his mental strength was overcome by thoughts of suicide. The mental power of the suicidal thoughts was enough to cause Oscar to nearly kill himself. No matter how much more muscle Oscar were to have had, they alone would not have saved him from his nearly fatal jump. Oscar simply lost the mental battle with depression which ended up being the only battle necessary for Oscar to have lost for his defeat in his “war” with depression. If a person is dealing with depression and has any hope to defeat depression, they must exercise. As mentioned earlier, exercise does not result from any physical needs; the human body will not exercise on its own if one is overweight. When someone with depression makes the decision to exercise and engages in the activity, they will receive the mental benefits of exercise necessary to overcome depressive thoughts. This mental benefit is the release of “feel-good endorphins”, according to Depression and Anxiety: Exercise Eases Symptoms by Mayo Clinic Staff. When someone exercises the brain releases natural chemicals that produce effects similar to cannabis. This release is to numb any pain or any form of discomfort one might feel after exercising. These chemicals are released in excess and along with being enough to relieve discomfort, the excess is enough to help battle symptoms of depression. The person with depression who

Critically Analyse the Research Findings on the Acute and Chronic Effects of Exercise on Anxiety and Depression

This study discussed the research on exercise as an alternative treatment for adolescents suffering from depression. Adolescents participated in a randomized control trial as the researchers measured differences between two different types of intervention (EXER and STRETCH group). The results showed improvements for both groups, but some varying differences, with the EXER group showing more significant improvements. Overall, the results are hopeful but strengths and weaknesses need to be considered.

Physical activity can be vital for maintaining a good mental health. It is a very good stress reliever. It can also reduce fatigue, improve alertness, and cognitive function. Stress can affect the brain. When your brain gets affected it can also affect the rest of your body as well because the brain is connected to it. If you can get your body to feel better then your mind will start to feel better too. Physical activity produces endorphins which are chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers. Endorphins can improve your ability to sleep, which can also reduce stress, which then will make your brain feel better. There are many things that can help your brain release these endorphins, some things you can do are meditate, acupuncture, massage therapy, even breathing deeply. In your brain your have chemicals called neurotransmitters. Nerve impulses cause the release of chemicals from one nerve cell to the next which allows cells to communicate with one another. If your brain produces too much or too little of these it may contribute to depression. Physical activity might be a very effective non-pharmacological treatment for depression.

According to Butler et al (2008), exercises that need high energy and regular aerobic practices are likely to cut down the depression symptoms at a rapid rate. Further, the authors are of

(American Heart Association) The World Heart Federation warned in September 2003 that failure to exercise is as bad for one's health as smoking a pack of cigarettes every day. Physical inactivity doubles the chances of developing heart disease and increases the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. Doctors estimate that between 65% and 85% of the world's population fail to take enough exercise. Two out of three children around the globe take too little exercise to improve their health. This is particularly true in Westernized nations where higher standards of living, modern conveniences and urban environments make exercise unnecessary and less enjoyable. (Diagnose-Me) Also, a study was done in Minnesota to determine if there was a connection between lack of exercise and depression. Participants were asked if they got 20 minutes of exercise at least three times a week; they also took a standard test for adolescent depression. Higher levels of physical activity at the start of the seventh grade were tied to lower levels of depression at the same point, and increased activity over the next 2 years was associated with reduced depressive symptoms at the end. (IDEA)