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Effects of exercise and physical activity on depression

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Abstract

Introduction

Depression is a very prevalent mental disorder affecting 340 million people globally and is projected to become the leading cause of disability and the second leading contributor to the global burden of disease by the year 2020.

Aim

In this paper, we review the evidence published to date in order to determine whether exercise and physical activity can be used as therapeutic means for acute and chronic depression. Topics covered include the definition, classification criteria and treatment of depression, the link between β-endorphin and exercise, the efficacy of exercise and physical activity as treatments for depression, properties of exercise stimuli used in intervention programs, as well as the efficacy of exercise and physical activity for treating depression in diseased individuals.

Conclusions

The presented evidence suggests that exercise and physical activity have beneficial effects on depression symptoms that are comparable to those of antidepressant treatments.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by funding from the European Union 7th Framework Program (FP7-PEOPLE-IRG-2008 grant no. 239521).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Thessaly, TEFAA Karies, Trikala, 42100, Greece

    P. C. Dinas & Y. Koutedakis

  2. FAME Laboratory, Institute of Human Performance and Rehabilitation, Centre for Research and Technology, Thessaly, Greece

    A. D. Flouris

  3. Department of Research and Technology Development, Biomnic Ltd., Trikala, Greece

    A. D. Flouris

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  1. P. C. Dinas
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  2. Y. Koutedakis
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  3. A. D. Flouris
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Correspondence to P. C. Dinas.

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Dinas, P.C., Koutedakis, Y. & Flouris, A.D. Effects of exercise and physical activity on depression. Ir J Med Sci 180, 319–325 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-010-0633-9

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