Researchers from the University of South Australia are urging the prioritisation of physical activity to combat mental health.
A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the most comprehensive to date, involved the analysis of 97 reviews, 1039 trials, and 128,119 participants, highlighting the efficacy of physical activity in comparison to counselling and leading medications.
The research indicates that physical activity is 1.5 times more effective than counselling or traditional medications in alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distress.
Specifically, the study found that exercise interventions lasting 12 weeks or less were the most effective in reducing mental health symptoms, showcasing the rapid impact of physical activity on mental well-being.
The largest benefits were observed in individuals with depression, pregnant and postpartum women, healthy individuals, and those diagnosed with HIV or kidney disease.
According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 970 million people worldwide, or one in every eight individuals, live with a mental disorder.
The economic toll of poor mental health stands at approximately $2.5 trillion annually, a cost projected to soar to $6 trillion by 2030. In Australia alone, an estimated one in five people aged 16 to 85 have experienced a mental disorder in the past 12 months.
Lead UniSA researcher, Dr Ben Singh, says physical activity must be prioritised to better manage the growing cases of mental health conditions.
“Physical activity is known to help improve mental health. Yet despite the evidence, it has not been widely adopted as a first-choice treatment,” Dr Singh said.
“Our review shows that physical activity interventions can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in all clinical populations, with some groups showing even greater signs of improvement.“
The study also revealed that higher-intensity exercise had greater improvements for depression and anxiety, while longer durations had smaller effects compared to short and mid-duration bursts. All types of physical activity, including aerobic exercises like walking, resistance training, Pilates, and yoga, were found to be beneficial.
Senior researcher Prof Carol Maher highlights the significance of the study as the first to evaluate the effects of all types of physical activity on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in all adult populations.
“Examining these studies as a whole is an effective way for clinicians to easily understand the body of evidence that supports physical activity in managing mental health disorders,“ Prof Maher said.
“We hope this review will underscore the need for physical activity, including structured exercise interventions, as a mainstay approach for managing depression and anxiety.“
