Impact of Physical Exercise on Psychological Well-being and Psychiatric Disorders

Abstract

Background: Physical exercise is one of the major features of human health, as it is involved in several physiological processes and related to major benefits in reducing body fat, myocardial infarction, hypertension and insulin resistance risk. Physical exercise also plays a positive role in achieving psychological well-being that can be defined as a state of happiness and serenity, with low levels of distress, overall good physical and mental health and outlook and a good quality of life. Aim of the paper:To review the positive effects of physical activity on psychological well-being and its possible neurobiological underpinnings, as well as its impact on several neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia and some neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Methods: The PubMed, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO and Google Scholar databases were searched for full text articles published in the latest thirty years on the benefits that physical activity exerts on psychological well-being. Results: An impressive amount of data support the positive role of physical activity on psychological well-being and a large amount of research has focused on its beneficial effects in improving the symptoms of the main neuropsychiatric disorders, while highlighting its usefulness as an adjuvant option to psychopharmacological treatments and psychotherapy. In particular, exercise would deeply affect CNS morphology and function, through heterogeneous mechanisms including, amongst the others, the production of hormones, neurotransmitters and neurotrophins, the promotion of angiogenesis and neuroplasticity, and the regulation of gene expression. Conclusion: Literature indicates that the promotion of physical activity may work like an adjunctive and/or augmentation strategy to enhance drugs or psychological treatments, or even as an alternative option in major depression.

Effects of a Personalised Physical Exercise Program on University Workers Overall Well-Being: “UAL-Activa” Program

“…Indeed, participants in the two focus groups that have been part of the “UAL Activa” program have experienced stress relief and improvements in well-being, expressing gratitude for the service received, feelings of joy or maintaining an optimistic outlook despite challenges; this finding being consistent with previous research on the impacts of physical practice on well-being [ 39 , 40 ]. The nature of the qualitative data could serve to strengthen relationships between PE practice and well-being, as claimed by quantitative studies [ 41 , 42 ].…”

Comparative effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercises on depression and sleep quality in women with controlled hypothyroidism. A randomized controlled trial

“…Existing research indicates that engaging in regular physical activity enhances mood, promotes a positive outlook, and potentially offers a means of managing depression and sleep impairment symptoms [20,21]. However, studies exploring the benefits of exercise on hypothyroidism-as-sociated depression and sleep impairments are limited.…”

GamerFit-ASD beta test: adapting an evidence-based exergaming and telehealth coaching intervention for autistic youth

“…Such behaviors not only confer increased health risks across the life course but also intensify the cognitive and behavioral challenges experienced by this population ( 10 , 12 , 13 ). By contrast, independent of the positive cardiometabolic effects of PA, over 25 studies in individuals with ASD ( 14 , 15 ) have documented associations between increased PA and improvements in anxiety ( 16 ), executive functions such as the ability to focus and self-regulate ( 17 ), and meta-cognitive processes ( 15 ). Importantly, there is emerging evidence that engaging in low to moderate PA is associated with these improvements ( 18 , 19 ), increasing the viability of PA as a potential therapeutic modality.…”