By Jim Leffman via SWNS
Light exercise such as pottering around the garden, playing golf or going for a walk can slash symptoms of anxiety and depression by a quarter, a new study reveals.
And the results on mental health for low to moderate exercise can be better than those for high-intensity workouts.
The latest research from across the world finds a strong association between physical activity and better mental health.
The team from Anglia Ruskin University found that physical activity reduced the risk of depression by 23 percent and anxiety by 26 percent.
Physical activity was also significantly associated with a reduced risk of severe mental health conditions, including a reduction in psychosis and schizophrenia by 27 percent.
The results were consistent in both men and women and across different age groups and across the world.
They found a particularly strong association between low and moderate physical activity and reduced risk of depression which was not strongly observed for high-intensity exercise.
The study, published in the journal Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, carried out an umbrella review of studies across the globe to examine the potential of physical activity as a mental health intervention.
Lead author Lee Smith, Professor of Public Health at the University, said: “These effects of physical activity intensity on depression highlight the need for precise exercise guidelines.
“Moderate exercise can improve mental health through biochemical reactions, whereas high-intensity exercise may worsen stress-related responses in some individuals.
“Acknowledging differences in people’s response to exercise is vital for effective mental health strategies, suggesting any activity recommendations should be tailored for the individual.
“The fact that even low to moderate levels of physical activity can be beneficial for mental health is particularly important, given that these levels of activity may be more achievable for people who can make smaller lifestyle changes without feeling they need to commit to a high-intensity exercise program.”
He added: “Preventing mental health complications effectively has emerged as a major challenge and an area of paramount importance in the realm of public health.
“These conditions can be complex and necessitate a multi-pronged approach to treatment, which may encompass pharmacological interventions, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes.”
