Exercise and Mental Health
Mental Health
Prevalence in clinical, general and student populations
Exercise and Mental Health
Exercise can improve mental health
Through psychological and physiological mechanisms.
Anxiety
Unrealistic and unfounded fear, worry, and nervousness
Impacts on concentration, sleep, and daily tasks.
Panic Disorder
Episodic attacks of scute anxiety
Physical symptoms - shortness of breath, dizziness, increased HR, clammy swear, faintness etc.
Anticipatory anxiety - anxiety sensitivity.
Anxiety: Treatment (NHS Choices)
Self-help resources
Book/online course, relaxation, avoid caffeine, smoking and drinking, contact support groups, exercise regularly.
Psychological teatment
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)
Medication
Mindfulness training and relaxation
Benzodiapine
Binds to receptors in teh brain - anxiolytic effects.
Some medications that help depression also help anxiety.
Barriers to treatment
Shame, stigma, and finance - more barriers for those with more anxiety (Goetter et al., 2018)
Depression
Pathological state of extreme dejection or melancholy, often with physical symptoms (Oxford Dictionary)
Reduced vitality, vigor, or spirits.
Depression: Symptoms
Psychological Symptoms
Continuous low mood or sadness, feeling hopeless and helpless, having low self-esteem, feeling tearful, feeling guilt-ridden, feeling irritable and intolerant of others, being not motivated or interested in things, findings it difficult to make decisions, not getting any enjoyment out of life, feelings anxious or worried, having suicidal thoughts, thoughts of harm.
Physiological Symptoms
Moving or speaking more slowly than usual, changes in appetite or weight, constipation, unexplained aches and pains, lack of energy, low sex drive, changes to menstrual cycle, disturbed sleep.
Social Symptoms
Not doing well at work, avoiding contact with friends, and taking part in fewer social activities, neglecting hobbies and interests, having difficulties in home and family life.
Assessments
Clinical Diagnosis
Mental health professional performs Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) Interveiw
Questionnaire
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire
Beck Depression invenotry
Hamilton rating scale for depression.
Depression: Treatment (NHS Choices)
Mild Depression
Watchful waiting, exercise, self-help groups/
Mild-to-moderate
Talking therapy
Moderate-to-severe
Anti-depressants, combination therapy. mental health teams.
PA, anxiety and depression
Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety
Findings
Lower sport participation and PA and more SB in people with higher depression dn anxiety - symptom severity
Lower sport participation and PA in people with (remitted) anxiety/depression
Greatest effects for co-morbid participants.
Diagnosis was not associted with SB
Associations between anxiety/depression and sports participation and PA 2 years later.
Associations between diagnosis and sports participation 2 years alter.
Some PA and SB.
Associations between sports participation and depression/axniety 2 years later.
Summary
Associations have been reported between PA, anxiety, and depression
To find out cause and effect, need to look at the effects of interventions on these outcomes.
n = 2,932; 57% current anxiety/depressive disorder, 21% remitted disorder, 22% healthy controls.
Assessment at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 years.
Depression, anxiety, PA, SB (IPAQ) and sports participation.