Exercise Helps Lower Depression

A review of

Silva, Luciano Acordi da et al. Effects of aquatic exercise on mental health, functional autonomy and oxidative stress in depressed elderly individuals: A randomized clinical trial. Clinics [online]. 2019, v. 74 [Accessed 24 January 2022] , e322.

By Dr. Bryan Stephens

Summarized Review Conclusions

We are all aware that diet and exercise play an important role on our physical wellbeing, but we don’t always realize how important it is on our mental health too. This article looked at the importance of exercise with depressed elderly patients and how an aquatic exercise routine twice per week affected their mental health in regards to depression, anxiety, and oxidative stress. It comes to no surprise to those who have been following us for a while that the exercise helped lower depression and anxiety when the researchers looked at questionnaire scores, functional autonomy (mobility), and lowered oxidative stress.

“The present study demonstrates that a low-intensity aerobic training program in the aquatic environment can contribute to the treatment of depression by reducing anxiety and depression scores, improving functional autonomy and decreasing oxidative stress.”

“Decreased physical activity can contribute significantly to increased levels of depression”

“In addition, physical exercise facilitates and stimulates social interaction with positive consequences on quality of life.”

Introduction to the Research

While it is becoming more widely known that exercise leads to better mental health, lowered depression, and lowered anxiety, this article sought to evaluate the mental health scores with improved autonomy and changes in oxidative stress. An increase in stress was shown to correlate with higher incidences of depression. It has also been noted that a lack of personal autonomy, or ability to care for yourself, also increased depressive tendencies. This is why the researchers looked at autonomy and oxidative stress in addition to the depression and anxiety scores.

Research Methodology

This 12-week clinical study subjected both the depression group and the nondepression group to an aquatic physical training program. Two days before and after the program, parameters related to mental health, oxidative stress and physical fitness were analyzed.

Research Findings

The researchers noted an improvement in all areas after the exercise program. There were lowered scores of depression and anxiety as well as an improved amount of autonomy. There was also a noted decrease in oxidative stress through the blood when compared to pre exercise status in both groups.

Research References

As always with these reviews, these are my takeaways from the article and I encourage you to read the article in its entirety. The references used in this article by the authors of this article are listed here..

Our Message

We know how important it is to find a Chiropractor near you that you can trust. The Chiropractic Care team in Dallas, near the corner of Mockingbird Ln. and Abrams Rd., not only relieve back pain, neck pain and headaches, but also teach how reducing stress has been shown to support good health in the research literature. We want to help you know how to be healthy by making good choices on diet, movement and mental health.

Brian Dugger On April 13, 2022 / How We Move

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