Exercise Outperforms Medication and Counseling for Mental Health Management, Study Finds

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from the University of South Australia reveals that exercise surpasses both counseling and leading medications in effectively managing depression. Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, this comprehensive review analyzes 97 reviews, 1039 trials, and 128,119 participants, establishing physical activity as highly beneficial for alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distress.

The study emphasizes that exercise interventions as short as 12 weeks yield the most significant outcomes in reducing mental health symptoms, highlighting the rapid impact physical activity can have. The research identifies individuals with depression, pregnant and postpartum women, healthy individuals, and those diagnosed with HIV or kidney disease as the groups experiencing the greatest benefits.

The World Health Organization reports that approximately 970 million people, or one in every eight individuals worldwide, live with a mental disorder. Poor mental health carries a hefty price tag of around $2.5 trillion annually for the global economy, a cost projected to rise to $6 trillion by 2030. In Australia alone, an estimated one in five people between the ages of 16 and 85 have experienced a mental disorder within the past year.

Dr. Ben Singh, lead researcher from UniSA, urges the prioritization of physical activity as a means to better manage the escalating number of mental health cases. Despite the substantial evidence, exercise has not been widely adopted as a first-line treatment. Dr. Singh emphasizes that physical activity interventions significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety across all clinical populations, with certain groups displaying even more pronounced improvements.

The study reveals that higher-intensity exercise leads to greater alleviation of depression and anxiety, while longer durations have comparatively smaller effects when compared to shorter and moderate-duration bursts. Importantly, all forms of physical activity and exercise, including walking, resistance training, Pilates, and yoga, exhibit positive effects on mental health.

Prof. Carol Maher, senior researcher at UniSA, highlights that this study is the first to evaluate the effects of all types of physical activity on depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in adult populations. By comprehensively examining the collective evidence, clinicians can readily understand the role of physical activity in managing mental health disorders.

The researchers hope that this review will underscore the crucial need for physical activity, including structured exercise interventions, as a primary approach for effectively managing depression and anxiety.