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Physical activity, exercise, and mental disorders: it is time to move on
Felipe Barreto Schuch1, Davy Vancampfort2
1Departamento de Métodos e Técnicas Desportivas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
Regular physical activity and exercise benefit public health by preventing and treating physical conditions. Evidence shows exercise also prevents mental disorders and improves the health of those with existing conditions, though implementation faces barriers.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Mental Health
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Physical activity and exercise are crucial for public health, aiding in the prevention and treatment of physical conditions like cardiovascular diseases and obesity.
- The structured form of physical activity, exercise, is recognized for its significant role in overall well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on the preventive effects of physical activity on mental disorders.
- To examine the role of physical activity in improving physical health for individuals with mental disorders.
- To assess exercise as a management strategy for mental health symptoms and identify implementation challenges.
Main Methods:
- This study employed a narrative review methodology to synthesize existing research.
Main Results:
- Strong evidence indicates physical activity and exercise can prevent common mental disorders, including depression and anxiety.
- These interventions offer significant physical and mental health benefits for individuals with various mental disorders.
- Guidelines recommend physical activity and exercise for managing depression and schizophrenia, but clinical adoption is slow due to patient and professional barriers.
Conclusions:
- Increasing population-level physical activity can alleviate the mental health burden.
- Exercise interventions should be integrated into routine care for individuals with mental disorders due to their multifaceted benefits.
- A multidisciplinary approach is essential to overcome barriers, improve adherence, and maximize the benefits of exercise.
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