Physical Activity Promotes Health and Reduces Cardiovascular Mortality in Depressed Populations: A Literature Overview

Abstract

Major depression is associated with premature mortality, largely explained by heightened cardiovascular burden. This narrative review summarizes secondary literature (i.e., reviews and meta-analyses) on this topic, considering physical exercise as a potential tool to counteract this alarming phenomenon. Compared to healthy controls, individuals with depression consistently present heightened cardiovascular risk, including “classical” risk factors and dysregulation of pertinent homeostatic systems (immune system, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system). Ultimately, both genetic background and behavioral abnormalities contribute to explain the link between depression and cardiovascular mortality. Physical inactivity is particularly common in depressed populations and may represent an elective therapeutic target to address premature mortality. Exercise-based interventions, in fact, have proven effective reducing cardiovascular risk and mortality through different mechanisms, although evidence still needs to be replicated in depressed populations. Notably, exercise also directly improves depressive symptoms. Despite its potential, however, exercise remains under-prescribed to depressed individuals. Public health may be the ideal setting to develop and disseminate initiatives that promote the prescription and delivery of exercise-based interventions, with a particular focus on their cost-effectiveness.

Self-Perceived Changes in Physical Activity and the Relation to Life Satisfaction and Rated Physical Capacity in Swedish Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Cross Sectional Study

“…Since both decreased physical activity and lower aerobic capacity are independent risk factors for non-communicable diseases and associated mortality [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], these findings indicate the challenge in further highlighting the recommendations to both increase physical activity levels and stimulate aerobic training. Since other forms of physical activity, such as strength training, also have shown positive effects on both mental and physical health [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], all forms of physical activity should be encouraged and promoted.…”

Verification of the Mediating Effect of Social Support on Physical Activity and Aging Anxiety of Korean Pre-Older Adults

“…First, physical activity had a negative (−) effect on aging anxiety. Greater physical activity improves health status compared to persons who do not engage in such activity [55][56][57]. In addition, healthy people tend to exert control over their lives [58,59] and therefore behave more positively.…”

Effects of Different Training Interventions on Heart Rate Variability and Cardiovascular Health and Risk Factors in Young and Middle-Aged Adults: A Systematic Review

“…The range of age was chosen to focus on young and early middle-aged adults as they are underrepresented in literature regarding prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Instead, the majority of studies on the effects of exercise training is focused on diseased and/or elderly individuals (Bouaziz et al, 2017 ; Villafaina et al, 2017 ; Pearson and Smart, 2018 ; Raffin et al, 2019 ; Belvederi Murri et al, 2020 ; Palma et al, 2020 ). Investigations with elite athletes were excluded as the primary aim of training programs in professional sports is not to improve HRV but the sport specific performance (Plews et al, 2013 ).…”