Exercise and Mental Health: Many Reasons to Move

Abstract/Intro

Some studies have been shown that physical exercise might be a adjunct treatment for various mental health disorders

Overwhelming evidence is that exercise maintains successful brain function

Could be related to evolution since physical activity is realated to survival

Clinical trials have shown promise in depression, Alzheimer's, parkinsons, etc.

Also increases strength and quality of life

Exercise as a non-pharmacological treatment of mental illness

Exercise has been shown in clinical trials to not only be a treatment of depression but also a preventative measure

Inverse relationship shown between the strength/aerobic training and depression in the elderly

Moderately intense exercise (up to the Public health recommended standard) has been shown to fight even moderate levels of depression

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has also been shown to be reduced via strength and cardio exercise regiments

However, the investigations are scarce and efficacy of these trials is not known to serve as a protection from AD

Exercise has been shown to help the quality of life and symptoms of those with Parkinsons Disease (PD)

However, there is limited evidence in showing exercise as a preventative .

The neurophysiological hypothesis

Protective effect of exercise

Hormesis theory- low levels of toxins can exert beneficial effects

Reactive oxygen species- reduction of oxidative stress

Increases BDNF (antidepressant) and IGF-1 (cognitive function)

Also increases VEGF which induces angiogenesis and neurogenesis

Helps combat the aging and depressive effects of mental health diseases that lower neurogenesis

Exercise increases serum calcium levels which elevates the calmodulin levels and increases dopamine levels

Also been shown to increase cerebral activity

Conclusion and Reference cited

Further investigation needs to be done to assess the efficacy of using exercise as an adjunct treatment once the disease has begun

Because of the scarcity of clinical trials, a lot of work still needs to be done

Invasive measurements, imaging, and other markers need to be assessed in further investigations

Reference cited: Deslandes A, Moraes H, Ferreira C, Veiga H, Silveira H, Mouta R, Pompeu FAMS, Coutinho ESF, Laks J. 2009. Exercise and Mental Health: Many Reasons to Move. Neuropsychobiology. 59(4):191–198. doi:10.1159/000223730. https://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/223730.
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