Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the effect of aerobic training and strength training as a treatment for depression in patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Methods: PubMed (Medline), ISI knowledge (Institute for Scientific Information), SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library) and Scopus databases were consulted from January 1970 to September 2011. Data were collected on variables as follows: total number of patients (pre- and postintervention), age, randomized (yes or no), diagnostic criteria, assessment instruments, and the percentage of remission and treatment response. Subsequently, we collected information on time intervention, intensity, duration, frequency, method of training (aerobic training and strength training) and type of supervision. Standardized mean differences were used for pooling continuous variables as endpoint scores. Binary outcomes, such as proportion of remission (no symptoms) and at least 50% reduction of initial scores (response), were pooled using relative risks. Random effects models were used that take into account the variance within and between studies. Results: Ten articles were selected and subdivided by their interventions, controlled training modality and levels of intensity. As there was no statistically significant difference between the two types of intervention (strength or aerobic training), we combined data which finally showed a 0.61 (95% CI: –0.88 to –0.33) standard deviation reduction in the intervention group compared to the control group. When the analysis was restricted only to those studies that used the Hamilton scale (n = 15), we observed a reduction of 3.49 points compared with the control group. Conclusion: Despite the heterogeneity of the studies, the present meta-analysis concluded that physical exercise improves the response to treatment, especially aerobic training. However, the efficacy of exercise in the treatment of depression was influenced by age and severity of symptoms.

Our findings indicate that time domain measures are more consistent than frequency domain to describe the chronic cardiovascular autonomic adaptations in athletes.

<b><i>Background:</i></b> This study aimed to compare the effects of aerobic training (AT), strength training (ST) and low-intensity exercise in a control group (CG) as adjunct treatments to pharmacotherapy for major depressive disorder (MDD) in older persons. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Older persons clinically diagnosed with MDD (<i>n</i> = 27) and treated with antidepressants were blindly randomized into three groups: AT, ST and a CG. All patients were evaluated prior to and 12 weeks after the intervention. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Compared with the CG, the AT and ST groups showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms (treatment ­response = 50% decrease in the pre- to postintervention assessment) through the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (AT group: χ², <i>p</i> = 0.044) and Beck Depression Inventory (ST group: χ², <i>p</i> = 0.044). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Adding AT or ST with moderate intensity to the usual treatment promoted a greater reduction of MDD symptoms.

Background: Evidence has shown benefits for mental health through aerobic training oriented in percentage of VO 2max , indicating the importance of this variable for clinical practice. Objective: To validate a method for estimating VO 2max using a submaximal protocol in elderly patients with clinically diagnosis as major depressive disorder (MDD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: The sample comprised 18 patients (64.22 ± 9.92 years) with MDD (n = 7) and with PD (n = 11). Three evaluations were performed: I) disease staging, II) direct measurement of VO 2max and III) submaximal exercise test. Linear regression was performed to verify the accuracy of estimation in VO 2max established in ergospirometry and the predicted VO 2max from the submaximal test measurement. We also analyzed the correlation between the Bland-Altman procedures. Results: The regression analysis showed that VO 2max values estimated by submaximal protocol associated with the VO 2max measured, both in absolute values (R 2 = 0.65; SEE = 0.26; p < 0.001) and the relative (R 2 = 0.56; SEE = 3.70; p < 0.001). The Bland-Altman plots for analysis of agreement of showed a good correlation between the two measures. Discussion: The VO 2max predicted by submaximal protocol demonstrated satisfactory criterion validity and simple execution compared to ergospirometry.