The association between exercise And general well -beingwith the logical consequence that an active lifestyle is recommended by all doctors in consideration of positive repercussions on maintaining physical and psychological health.
In particular, there are more and more studies that demonstrate the beneficial effects determined by physical activity on mood in an antidepressive function.
There depression It is the most common psychiatric disorder, it affects over 100 million people all over the world, so much so that the fourth cause of illness is currently considered, and moreover destined, according to current estimates and projections, to become the first pathology, by frequency, by 2020.
Antidepressant drugs and psychotherapeutic treatments are effective remedies for the treatment of depressionbut they can be usefully flanked by interventions aimed at promoting regular exercise, also seen as appreciable support antidepressant.
These conclusions also arrives a recent data review study published in Cochrane Library, an international research body that collects, evaluates and disseminates information relating to the effectiveness and security of health interventions.
In this research 39 studies have under critical revision concerning the relationship between exercise And Benefits on mood tonefor a total of over 2300 participants affected by depressionwhose level of gravity has been evaluated with special questionnaires.
The data collected confirm that exercise has an antidepressant effect, even if no indications have emerged from the works examined on which type of exercises is to be considered more effective or on how much it is possible to maintain the benefits over time even after the suspension of physical activity.
The biochemical mechanisms that underlie these processes, despite the researchers have in this regard, formulated various hypotheses, also remain to be identified with greater clarity.
It has been proposed that the physiological changes observed following regular exercise, such as the increase in endorphins levels (substances capable of determining a feeling of well -being) and the reduction of cortisol levels (stress hormone), could exercise a beneficial influence on mood; The role of neurotrophins (proteins involved in the survival, plasticity and reconstitution of brain cells and which maintain vital and active neurons), also increased thanks to continuous physical activity is also study.
The question of the role that a exercise constantly conducted can carry out in the prevention of some mental disorders.
In any case, from these research it remains confirmed, once again, that physical activity, working from “bridge” between the body and the psyche proves to be “first -line” therapy in all patients with diagnosis of depressionto each of which a physical commitment that is adequate, both as an intensity and as a frequency and type, to the specific characteristics and personal inclinations must be recommended, so that the adhesion to what is proposed by the therapist is as complete and satisfactory as possible.
