Increased physical activity improves mood and energy levels in people with mood disorders. This was reported by a scientific group from the biostatistics department of the Bloomberg School of Public Health. The study was published in the JAMA journal.
How do physical activities help with mood swings?
Researchers included 242 participants aged 15 to 84 years in the study, 150 of whom were women. Motor activity and sleep duration were recorded using an actigraphic device. Participants wore it for 2 weeks on the wrist.
At the same time, they kept an electronic diary 4 times a day at specific times to document mood and energy. In the diary, participants rated their perceived energy and mood on a 7-point scale. 1 point - "very sad", 7 points - "very happy".
Research has shown that higher physical activity correlated with better mood.
Correlations also worked in the opposite direction. Higher energy levels at one point of the day were associated with higher physical activity.
The results obtained indicate that measures aimed at motor activity and energy can effectively normalize mood. Scientists add that the study "demonstrates the potential for improving treatments for bipolar schizoaffective disorder."
Exercise Helps Against Depression?
Physical activity counteracts the onset of depression, regardless of age, state of health, or mood. An international working group with scientists from 6 European countries published the results in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Experts summarized data from 50 studies that examined whether physical activity reduced the risk of depression. They were able to estimate data from about 250,000 people, 47% of whom were men.
An analysis of the data showed that participants who moved a little had a higher risk of developing depression.
Scientists also found that the protective effect of moderate exercise is equally present in adolescents, adults and the elderly.
Scientific analysis of more than ¼ million people shows that people who have an active lifestyle are less likely to develop depression. It became clear that exercises have a protective function for children, adults and the elderly.
Scientists also concluded that exercise helps regardless of body mass index, smoking history, or overall physical health.
Joseph Firth of NIIZ said research is crucial for motivating people at school or at work. Additional tests are aimed at identifying the minimum number of exercises necessary to reduce the risk of depression.
More - not always better?
The greatest effect was achieved by participants training for 45 minutes from 3 to 5 times a week. However, those who practiced more than 3 hours a day had even worse mental health.
The study covered 75 types of physical activity: from childcare to cycling. Not all previous studies on the effects of physical activity on mental health may support this conclusion.
A BMJ study with 361 adults aged 18 to 69 could not find a positive effect on depression. Researchers at the University of Cambridge found no connection with more than 700 teenagers.
Compared to exercise, social or demographic factors have less impact on mental health.
People with higher education had 17.8% fewer days of poor mental health compared with uneducated people.
Communication with BMI was particularly low. In patients with normal weight, the risk of depression was 4% compared with people with overweight. The ideal BMI is 25 points. Excessive thinness, as well as fullness, adversely affect the psyche.
Moderate exercise is the key to mental health. It is recommended not to overdo it and not neglect physical activity.
