Causal Associations of Physical Activity/Exercise and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Wolff ◽  
Andreas Ströhle
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-112
Author(s):  
Matheus Cabanha Paniago Almada ◽  
Romano Deluque Júnior ◽  
Cesar Augusto Marton ◽  
Mariane Moreira Ramiro do Carmo

OBJETIVO: Discutir os modos como um estado de quarentena e de distanciamento social, por motivos de pandemia, alteram os hábitos de atividade física da população e incidem em impactos diante da saúde mental das pessoas inseridas no referido contexto. MÉTODOS: O presente estudo pretende ser um ensaio de discussão teórica, com delineamentos explicativos/analíticos, utilizando-se de artigos recentemente publicados e indexados, para identificar os pontos negativos e positivos do distanciamento social e da quarentena, bem como, discutir os seus efeitos na saúde mental. Pretende-se ainda, argumentar em favor da prática de atividades físicas, como ferramenta redutora da tensão e da ansiedade, tão características do atual cenário pandêmico. RESULTADOS: Considerando que uma situação de distanciamento social, ou de quarentena, alteram os hábitos da população, verifica-se que as mudanças de rotinas fazem emergir sentimentos de frustração e tédio, além disso, a falta de contato físico e social provoca a sensação de isolamento perante o resto do mundo e angústia aquele que vivencia o fenômeno. Uma estratégia para combater os efeitos negativos na saúde mental decorrente a quarentena e o iso-lamento social, é a prática de atividades físicas. Dentre os benefícios da prática de atividades físicas para a saúde mental, demonstrou-se que a mesma, quando feita regularmente, está associada a diminuição de sintomas de depressão e ansiedade. CONCLUSÃO: Sabendo dos impactos psicológicos que são gerados nesse período, e fazendo uma associa-ção com os estudos que demonstram os benefícios das atividades físicas, é possível afirmar que a prática dos pode ser uma estratégia eficiente de enfrentamento, porém, estudos es-pecíficos devem ainda ser realizados.ABSTRACT. Mental health and physical activity practice in quarantine: a theoretical discussion essay.OBJECTIVE: To discuss the ways in which a state of quarantine and social detachment, for reasons of a pandemic, changes the habits of the population and impacts on the mental health of people in the context. METHODS: The present study intends to be a theoretical discussion essay, with explanatory / analytical designs, which uses recently published and indexed articles, to identify the negative and positive points of social detachment and quarantine, as well as to discuss its effects on mental health. It is also intended to argue in favor of the practice of physical activities, as a tool to reduce tension and anxiety, so characteristic of the current pandemic scenario.  RESULTS: Considering that a situation of social detachment, or quarantine changes the habits of the population, it is also verified that changes in routines emerge feelings of frustration and boredom, in addition, the lack of physical and social contact causes feeling of isolation from the rest of the world and distressing those who experience the phenomenon. A strategy to combat the negative effects on mental health resulting from quarantine and social isolation, is the practice of physical exercises. Among the benefits of physical exercise for mental health, it has been shown that regular physical activity is associated with decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety. CONCLUSION: Knowing the psychological impacts that are generated in this period, and making an association with the studies that demonstrate the benefits of physical exercises, it is possible to say that the practice of activities can be an efficient coping strategy, however, specific studies must still be performed.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. e021119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc-André Bélair ◽  
Dafna E Kohen ◽  
Mila Kingsbury ◽  
Ian Colman

BackgroundPhysical and sedentary activities have been identified as potentially modifiable risk factors for many diseases, including mental illness, and may be effective targets for public health policy and intervention. However, the relative contribution of physical activity versus sedentary behaviour to mental health is less clear. This study investigated the cross-sectional association between physical activity, sedentary activity and symptoms of depression and anxiety at age 14–15 in the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY).MethodsRespondents aged 14–15 years between 1996 and 2009 who reported on symptoms of depression in the NLSCY were included (n=9702). Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between physical and sedentary activity and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Joint models including both physical and sedentary activity were also explored. Models were adjusted for sex, ethnicity, immigration status, family income, parental education, recent major stressful life events and chronic health conditions.ResultsThe odds of having moderate and severe symptoms of depression and anxiety compared with no symptoms was 1.43 (1.11 to 1.84) and 1.88 (1.45 to 2.45) times higher, respectively, in physically inactive youth relative to physically active youth. The odds of having moderate and severe symptoms of depression and anxiety compared with no symptoms was 1.38 (1.13 to 1.69) and 1.31 (1.02 to 1.69) times higher, respectively, in sedentary youth relative to non-sedentary youth. In joint models including both physical and sedentary activity, sedentary activity was not consistently associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety.ConclusionsBoth physical inactivity and sedentary activity appear to be significantly related to symptoms of depression and anxiety. The importance of distinguishing these two behaviours has relevance for research as well as policies targeting physical activity and mental health in youth.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Lewis ◽  
L. C. Roden ◽  
K. Scheuermaier ◽  
F. X. Gomez-Olive ◽  
D. E. Rae ◽  
...  

AbstractDuring lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals have experienced poor sleep quality and sleep regularity, changes in lifestyle behaviours, and heightened depression and anxiety. However, the inter-relationship and relative strength of those behaviours on mental health outcomes is still unknown. We collected data between 12 May and 15 June 2020 from 1048 South African adults (age: 32.76 ± 14.43 years; n = 767 female; n = 473 students) using an online questionnaire. Using structural equation modelling, we investigated how insomnia symptoms, sleep regularity, exercise intensity/frequency and sitting/screen-use (sedentary screen-use) interacted to predict depressive and anxiety-related symptoms before and during lockdown. We also controlled for the effects of sex and student status. Irrespective of lockdown, (a) more severe symptoms of insomnia and greater sedentary screen-use predicted greater symptoms of depression and anxiety and (b) the effects of sedentary screen-use on mental health outcomes were mediated by insomnia. The effects of physical activity on mental health outcomes, however, were only significant during lockdown. Low physical activity predicted greater insomnia symptom severity, which in turn predicted increased depressive and anxiety-related symptoms. Overall, relationships between the study variables and mental health outcomes were amplified during lockdown. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining physical activity and reducing sedentary screen-use to promote better sleep and mental health.


Author(s):  
Erika Rees-Punia ◽  
Christina C. Newton ◽  
J. Lee Westmaas ◽  
Sicha Chantaprasopsuk ◽  
Alpa V. Patel ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Carek ◽  
Sarah E. Laibstain ◽  
Stephen M. Carek

Depression and anxiety are the most common psychiatric conditions seen in the general medical setting, affecting millions of individuals in the United States. The treatments for depression and anxiety are multiple and have varying degrees of effectiveness. Physical activity has been shown to be associated with decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety. Physical activity has been consistently shown to be associated with improved physical health, life satisfaction, cognitive functioning, and psychological well-being. Conversely, physical inactivity appears to be associated with the development of psychological disorders. Specific studies support the use of exercise as a treatment for depression. Exercise compares favorably to antidepressant medications as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate depression and has also been shown to improve depressive symptoms when used as an adjunct to medications. While not as extensively studied, exercise has been shown to be an effective and cost-efficient treatment alternative for a variety of anxiety disorders. While effective, exercise has not been shown to reduce anxiety to the level achieved by psychopharmaceuticals.


Psychology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (08) ◽  
pp. 1277-1286
Author(s):  
Ioannis D. Morres ◽  
Evlalia Touloudi ◽  
Antonis Hatzigeorgiadis ◽  
Athanasios Z. Jamurtas ◽  
Odysseas Androutsos ◽  
...  

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Cairney ◽  
Brent E. Faught ◽  
John Hay ◽  
Terrance J. Wade ◽  
Laurie M. Corna

Background:Although physical activity (PA) has been demonstrated to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, research on the mental health benefits of PA in older adults is limited. Moreover, the psychosocial factors that might mediate or moderate the relationship between PA and depression in this population are largely unexplored.Methods:Using a sample of adults age 65 and older (N = 2736), we examined whether the major components of the stress process model (stress, social support, mastery, self-esteem) and physical health mediate or moderate the relationship between PA and depressive symptoms.Results:Physical health has the single largest effect, accounting for 45% of the effect of PA on depression. The stress process model, with physical health included, accounts for 70% of the relationship between PA and depression.Conclusions:Among older adults with above average levels of perceived mastery, greater physical activity is associated with higher levels of depression. Limitations and directions for further research are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphaella Lewis ◽  
Laura C. Roden ◽  
Karine Scheuermaier ◽  
Francesc X. Gomez-Olive ◽  
Dale E. Rae ◽  
...  

Abstract During lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals have experienced changes in sleep and lifestyle behaviours, and heightened depression and anxiety. However, the inter-relationship and relative strength of those behaviours on mental health outcomes is still unknown. Using structural equation modelling, we investigated how insomnia symptoms, sleep regularity, exercise intensity/frequency and sitting/screen-use (sedentary screen-use) interacted to predict depressive and anxiety-related symptoms before and during lockdown in 1048 South African adults (median age: 27y; n = 767 female; n = 473 students). We also controlled for the effects of sex and student status. Irrespective of lockdown, (a) more severe symptoms of insomnia and greater sedentary screen-use predicted greater symptoms of depression and anxiety and (b) the effects of sedentary screen-use on mental health outcomes were mediated by insomnia. The effects of physical activity on mental health outcomes, however, were only significant during lockdown. Low physical activity was associated with greater insomnia symptom severity, which in turn was associated with increased depressive and anxiety-related symptoms. Overall, relationships between the study variables and mental health outcomes were amplified during lockdown. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining physical activity and reducing sedentary screen-use to promote better sleep and mental health.


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