In the largest ever study of its kind, analysis involving more than 30,000 adults revealed those who do not exercise are almost twice as likely – 44 per cent – to suffer with depression, compared to those who were exercising one to two hours a week.
The research, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, also showed that 12 per cent of depression cases could have been prevented by a small amount of regular exercise.
The study’s lead author, Associate Professor Samuel Harvey, said: “We’ve known for some time that exercise has a role to play in treating symptoms of depression, but this is the first time we have been able to quantify the preventative potential of physical activity in terms of reducing future levels of depression.
“These findings are exciting because they show that even relatively small amounts of exercise, from one hour per week, can deliver significant protection against depression.”
In numbers | Mental Health
One in six
UK people will experience a mental health problem each week
19,481 times
UK children contacting Childline with suicidal thoughts, in the year 2015/ 2016
8.25%
Cuts to mental health trust budgets in England from 2011 to 2015
20%
The rise in referrals to community mental health teams in England during the same period
9.7pc
Proportion of British people who meet the criteria for diagnosis of mixed anxiety & depression, according to most recent 2014 study
2,100
Beds for mental health patients that have been closed from 2011 to mid-2016 in England
41pc
Proportion of people referred to a talking therapy who have a three month wait between referral and treatment (England – May 2016)
£600m
Additional amount pledged by the government towards mental health by 2020/2021 – the same amount cut from the budget between 2010 and 2015
Sources: Mind, NHS, Young Minds, RCN
An international research team, led by the Australia-based Black Dog Institute, studied 33,908 Norwegian adults whose levels of exercise and symptoms of depression and anxiety were monitored over 11 years.
A healthy group of participants were asked to report how often they exercise and at what intensity, ranging from without becoming breathless or sweating to becoming breathless and sweating or exhausting themselves.
At a follow-up stage, they completed a self-report to indicate any emerging anxiety or depression.
The research team also accounted for variables which might impact the association between exercise and common mental illness. Theses included socio-economic and demographic factors, substance use, body mass index, new onset physical illness and perceived social support.
Prof Harvey added: “These results highlight the great potential to integrate exercise into individual mental health plans and broader public health campaigns.
“If we can find ways to increase the population’s level of physical activity even by a small amount, then this is likely to bring substantial physical and mental health benefits.”
