An apple a day keeps the doctor away! We've probably been given this advice or know of others who have been given this advice time and time again… to eat healthier, and more important, to exercise. While exercise is not necessarily the cure-all for the world's infections and diseases, it plays an important role in supporting and maintaining good health.
Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Depression is associated with morbidity (eg, cardiovascular disease) and premature mortality. There are several mechanisms of action involved in the pathophysiology of depression which include, but are not limited to, inflammation, oxidative stress, genetics, and psychosocial factors.
Available literature indicates that physical activity may reduce the odds of developing depression. One meta-analysis reported 17% lower odds of developing depression among individuals who had higher levels of physical activity. However, this value changes depending on various factors across separate studies (eg, target population, thresholds of physical activity, exposure variables). A recent meta-analysis of 15 prospective cohort studies identified a dose-response relationship along a continuum between physical activity and the risk for depression.
Exercisemay influence several pathways involved in the biology and pathophysiology of depression (eg, neuroendocrine and inflammatory pathways, neural plasticity).
