While it’s well known that a bit of exercise every day is good for our mental and physical well-being, new research suggests that as little as one hour of exercise a week could prevent depression.
In what has been the largest study of its kind, analysis of more than 30,000 adults revealed those who didn’t engage in any exercise were almost twice as likely to suffer from depression, compared to those who exercised one to two hours a week.
The research, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, also revealed that 12% of depression cases could have been prevented by a small amount of regular exercise.
Even relatively small amounts of exercise, from one hour per week, can deliver significant protection against depression, according to the study’s lead author, Associate Professor Samuel Harvey says.
“We’ve known for some time that exercise has a role to play in treating symptoms of depression, but this is the first time we have been able to quantify the preventative potential of physical activity in terms of reducing future levels of depression. These findings are exciting because they show that even relatively small amounts of exercise, from one hour per week, can deliver significant protection against depression.”
An international research team, led by the Australia-based Black Dog Institute, studied 33,908 Norwegian adults whose levels of exercise and symptoms of depression and anxiety were monitored over 11 years.
A healthy group of participants were asked to report how often they exercise and at what intensity, ranging from without becoming breathless or sweating to becoming breathless and sweating or exhausting themselves.
At a follow-up stage, they completed a self-report to indicate any emerging anxiety or depression.
The research team also accounted for variables which might impact the association between exercise and common mental illness. Theses included socio-economic and demographic factors, substance use, body mass index, new onset physical illness and perceived social support.
Prof Harvey added: “These results highlight the great potential to integrate exercise into individual mental health plans and broader public health campaigns. If we can find ways to increase the population’s level of physical activity even by a small amount, then this is likely to bring substantial physical and mental health benefits.”
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