Effects of exercise and physical activity on depression

P. C. Dinas; Y. Koutedakis; A. D. Flouris

doi:10.1007/s11845-010-0633-9

Irish Journal of Medical Science

June 2011, Volume 180, Issue 2, pp 319–325

Effects of exercise and physical activity on depression

Authors
Authors and affiliations

P. C. DinasEmail author
Y. Koutedakis
A. D. Flouris

Review Article

First Online:: 14 November 2010

Received:: 14 December 2009
Accepted:: 26 October 2010

DOI: 10.1007/s11845-010-0633-9

Cite this article as:: Dinas, P.C., Koutedakis, Y. & Flouris, A.D. Ir J Med Sci (2011) 180: 319. doi:10.1007/s11845-010-0633-9

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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.

Keywords

ExerciseDepressionPhysical activityMoodβ-Endorphin

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Copyright information

Authors and Affiliations

P. C. Dinas
- 1
Email author
Y. Koutedakis
- 1
A. D. Flouris
- 2
- 3

1.Department of Sport and Exercise ScienceUniversity of ThessalyTrikalaGreece
2.FAME Laboratory, Institute of Human Performance and RehabilitationCentre for Research and TechnologyThessalyGreece
3.Department of Research and Technology DevelopmentBiomnic Ltd.TrikalaGreece

Effects of exercise and physical activity on depression

Abstract

Introduction

Aim

Conclusions

Keywords

Copyright information

Authors and Affiliations

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