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read moreUniversity of South Australia researchers are calling for exercise to be a mainstay approach for managing depression as a result of a newly released study which shows that physical activity is 1.5 times more effective than counselling or the leading medications.
Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the review is the most comprehensive to date, encompassing 97 reviews, 1039 trials and 128,119 participants. It shows that physical activity is extremely beneficial for improving symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distress.
Specifically, the review showed that exercise interventions that were 12 weeks or shorter were most the effective at reducing mental health symptoms, highlighting the speed at which physical activity can make a change.
The largest benefits were seen among people with depression, pregnant and postpartum women, healthy individuals, and people diagnosed with HIV or kidney disease.
According to the World Health Organization, one in every eight people worldwide (970 million people) live with a mental disorder. Poor mental health costs the world economy approximately $2.5 trillion each year, a cost projected to rise to $6 trillion by 2030. In Australia, an estimated one in five people (aged 16–85) have experienced a mental disorder in the past 12 months.
Advising that physical activity must be prioritised to better manage the growing cases of mental health conditions, Lead UniSA researcher, Dr Ben Singh explained “physical activity is known to help improve mental health. Yet despite the evidence, it has not been widely adopted as a first-choice treatment.
“Our review shows that physical activity interventions can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in all clinical populations, with some groups showing even greater signs of improvement.
“Higher intensity exercise had greater improvements for depression and anxiety, while longer durations had smaller effects when compared to short and mid-duration bursts.
“We also found that all types of physical activity and exercise were beneficial, including aerobic exercise such as walking, resistance training, Pilates, and yoga.
“Importantly, the research shows that it doesn’t take much for exercise to make a positive change to your mental health.”
Senior researcher, UniSA’s Professor Carol Maher, says the study is the first to evaluate the effects of all types of physical activity on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in all adult populations.
Professor Carol Maher added “examining these studies as a whole is an effective way to for clinicians to easily understand the body of evidence that supports physical activity in managing mental health disorders.
“We hope this review will underscore the need for physical activity, including structured exercise interventions, as a mainstay approach for managing depression and anxiety.”
Image courtesy of Bayside Council.
24th February 2023 - Roy Morgan survey of Club Lime members reveals mental wellbeing as their top fitness objective
20th January 2023 - Life. Be In It activity campaign makes return to TV
30th December 2022 - AUSactive survey suggests fitness programs for older adults will be key exercise trend in 2023
28th December 2022 - ExerciseNZ survey shows New Zealand’s fitness industry has bounced back
21st December 2022 - Deakin University develops new approach of ‘Exercise snacking’ for older Australians
21st December 2022 - FIBO mobilises against lack of exercise and expands its reach into medical professions
21st October 2022 - World Health Organization reveals high cost of physical inactivity in first-ever global report
3rd October 2022 - Snap Fitness collaborates with LIVIN for National Mental Health Month
23rd September 2022 - ExerciseNZ’s Richard Beddie says exercising for mental health is ‘critical’
23rd September 2022 - New calls for Australia to adopt a National Strategy on Physical Activity
21st September 2022 - CERM looks for industry input to 2022 operational benchmarking survey
19th August 2022 - ExerciseNZ’s Richard Beddie calls for New Zealand Government to deliver clear messages on the benefits of activity
25th July 2022 - Victorian Government trials ways to encourage adolescents to do more physical activity
28th June 2022 - Inactivity costs Australia’s healthcare system $2 billion per year
12th April 2022 - VicHealth partners with community organisations to support mental wellbeing of Victoria’s youth
18th March 2022 - Singapore Government announces plan to encourage physical activity and bring back mass participation events
14th March 2022 - AUSactive’s Barrie Elvish highlights cost of Australia’s physical and mental health crisis to Federal Treasurer
2nd February 2022 - AUSactive shares results of research and economic modelling into physical inactivity and COVID-19
30th November 2021 - ExerciseNZ’s Richard Beddie welcomes latest research advising longer lives are tied to physical activity
15th September 2021 - ESSA launch statement on the role of physical activity in the management of obesity in adults
3rd September 2021 - World Economic Forum study identifies fitness as the most popular physical activity globally
21st June 2021 - New study aims to decide most beneficial form of physical activity for men’s health
26th November 2020 - Australian health leaders contribute to WHO’s revised global recommendations for physical activity
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