Physical activity, exercise, and mental disorders: it is time to move on

Abstract

Introduction Physical activity, conceptualized as any bodily movement that results in energy expenditure, and its structured form, exercise, play an important role in public health, preventing and treating a wide range of physical conditions, including metabolic and cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Objective This article aims to provide a brief overview and summary of the evidence on: 1) the preventive effects of physical activity on a wide range of mental disorders; 2) the role of physical activity in promoting the physical health of people with mental disorders; 3) the role of exercise as a strategy to manage mental health symptoms in a range of mental disorders; and 4) the challenges and barriers faced when implementing exercise in clinical practice. Methods This was a narrative review. Results Compelling evidence has demonstrated that physical activity and exercise can also prevent common mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety disorders, and have multiple beneficial effects on the physical and mental health of people with a wide range of mental disorders. This body of evidence has been incorporated in national and international guidelines over the last decades, which have recommended the inclusion of physical activity and exercise as therapeutic approaches for mental disorders, mainly for depression and schizophrenia. Nonetheless, implementation into clinical practice has been slow, probably due to barriers associated both with patients and mental health professionals. Conclusion Increases in physical activity levels in populations are likely to reduce the mental health burden. Exercise interventions should be incorporated to the routine care of people with mental disorders due its multiple benefits on physical and mental health outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to overcome patients barriers and enhance adherence and benefits.

Is the Prevalence of Low Physical Activity among Teachers Associated with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress?

“…All of this confirms the need for a rapid response in the teaching environment and the introduction of strategies to increase PA, which, as previous research has shown, has the potential to combat mental disorders [ 78 ]. Mere mental health promotion limited to public education [ 79 ], or even providing teachers with methods to cope with stress and tension at work, is not enough, especially since, unlike physical or metabolic diseases, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress are often ignored and treated as a normal psychological reaction that does not require treatment [ 80 ].…”

Efeitos benéficos do exercício físico no tratamento da depressão: uma revisão integrativa

“…Esses efeitos podem causar o abandono ao tratamento e impactar negativamente a vida do paciente. (Schuch & Vancampfort, 2021) O exercício físico é um grande aliado na prevenção e combate a depressão, devendo sempre ser sempre orientado por um profissional capacitado, tendo um excelente efeito terapêutico. A prática regular de exercícios físicos interfere positivamente em todos os nossos sistemas, seja ele respiratório, psíquico, cardíaco, osteomioarticular e outros.…”

The Complex Interplay Between Physical Activity and Recovery Styles in Patients With Severe Mental Disorders in a Real-World Multicentric Study

“…The physical health of patients with severe mental disorders is too often devaluated (36)(37)(38)(39). Clinicians worldwide tend to prioritize other (mental) health domains, with the consequence of not motivating enough their patients toward physical activity (40)(41)(42). The clinical, biological, and social correlates of physical activity in people with severe mental disorders have been investigated only in a few studies (43,44).…”