What Role Does Exercise Play In Managing Depression

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

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

Depressive persons tend to have a lower amount of physical activity because of their lack of motivation. Depression is found in a variety of people, but is especially prevalent among adolescents .But these findings would support us to conclude that physical fitness is therapeutic psychologically and physiologically in treating depression. Prescribing an appropriate regiment of exercise is shown in this study to decrease symptoms of depression in adolescent females.

Heladóttír, Hallgren, Ekblom, Forsell (2016) sought to find an optimal dosage of exercise to elicit positive responses in those diagnosed with depression using three varying intensities. With frequency and duration kept consistent, 620 participants, including ages 18 to 67, were randomly assigned different treatment groups. These included (1) continuing their usual treatment, (2) light exercise like yoga, (3) moderate aerobic exercise, and (4) vigorous aerobic exercise. The training program lasted for 12 weeks, requiring subjects to exercise 55 minutes 3 times a week. The researchers measured depression severity at baseline and post-treatment while monitoring heart rate during every session using a monitor. Following the conclusion of the study, the results indicated that depression severity decreased in al exercise groups. However, the optimal dosage for exercise prescription remains uncertain. These findings suggest that light exercise, such as yoga, were more beneficial than the other intensities

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

Studies are often observed to determine what activities will best benefit certain patients. According to the article “Therapeutic Recreation Improves Depression”,

For decades, scientists have been studying the positive effect that exercise has on the brain They have found that exercise reduced stress, improved cognitive functioning and kept depression at bay. An article from Harvard Medical School stated that exercise reduced the levels of adrenaline and cortisol and stimulated the production of endorphins, the brains mood elevators. Endorphins can create the feeling of relaxation. Similar findings were also reported by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. They found that aerobic exercise decreases overall stress, stabilizes mood, and improves sleep.

“The emotional burden of depression is high, both to those who suffer from it, family members and will have a considerable impact on the functioning of the depressed individual” (Heighadóttir, 2016, p.1). Depression is complex, in such a way that it not only destroys the victim, but the people closest to them. Even more complex is the treatment of depression and discovering a way to benefit the many people who suffer from the disease. Physical exercise at moderate levels has undergone investigation as a possible therapy for not only physical but psychological illnesses. According to Kenneth Pollock (2001) of New York Medical College, “There have been over 25 years of systematic investigation examining

There is a strong positive correlation between mental health and exercise. Exercising releases hormones that stay in your body for hours after you finish exercising an example of these hormones are endorphins. Endorphins are what cause us to feel happiness; Norepinephrine is also released during aerobic exercise which aids in helping the brain deal with stress more efficiently. The release of these hormones is why individuals with depression find exercise routines extremely beneficial, a majority of antidepressants actually work by increasing brain concentrations of norepinephrine. In addition when exercising helps the body practice dealing with stress, by forcing the body’s psychological systems that are involved in stress response to communicate

Regular physical activity is important for normal brain function and mental health. Sustained exercise increases the level of serotonin in your brain and serotonin may play a key role in preserving brain function. As you age, the amount of serotonin in your brain decreases, which this is linked to an increase in depression.

Exercise has many benefits for your body and your mind. Working out can improve your mood because when you exercise your body releases chemicals called endorphins. Exercising daily has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of depression. Depression can lessen your energy, make you feel tired and exercising can increase your energy levels. When you feel down, overwhelm, hopeless or bad about yourself just exercise and it will get your mind out of worries and your thoughts. The types of exercise you can do are from biking, dancing to yoga and gardening. There has been research that show exercise and medication to be similarly effective in treating depression. A study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1999, showed that 60% to 70% of the people that were put in three different groups were no longer consider being

Physical activity has also been shown to help with psychological issues, by helping people improve their control over symptoms such as anxiety and depression. It has thought, that by 2020, depression will follow cardiovascular disease as one of the world's leading causes of death and disability (WHO, 2010). Depression is commonly treated by medication or by taking part in therapy sessions. However, studies have reported that more people are now looking at physical activity as a way of dealing with feelings of depression (Weinberg & Gould, 2007). For example, a study by Hassmen, Koivula and Uutela (2000), found that subjects who participated in physical activity at least twice a week, experienced significantly less depression, anger, cynical distrust, and stress compared to those who exercised less or none all together. Therefore, suggesting the use of physical activity as an alternative method to treating common psychological issues than prescription drugs.

It is now a very well-documented fact that constant and moderate physical exercise (especially aerobic exercise) has beneficial effects on overall health, physically and mentally. At the psychological level, it reduces anxiety and stress, improves self-esteem and self-confidence, and improves cognition. The uplifting effect of physical exercise stems from the release of substances, such as endorphins, which provide a sense of peace, tranquility, and pleasure. These uplifting effects conteract the unhealthy moods and neurological states correlated with depression.

When exercising your brain releases more endorphins which helps with depression because it makes you happier. Other benefits of exercising are being healthier and have more energy to spare. When exercising your mind is off the fact that you’re depressed therefore you forget about it for a few hours. This is important to someone who is depressed because, most that live in mentally negative environments. Therefore, when you stop thinking about what makes you lose interest in yourself, you stop thinking about what makes you depressed. Exercising can also get you in shape which will help you move on from your depressed

Exercise may be one of the most important influences on your overall health to date. While the only benefits that are mainly focused on are the physical benefits, significant psychological impacts can also be linked to exercise. Although some of these benefits aren’t viewed with much enthusiasm, studies have proven that exercise can actually improve one’s quality of life greatly by increasing not only their physical health but their mental health as well. It is because of this that exercise is a