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Evaluation Already one hour of sport per week lowers the risk of depression
Years ago, scientific research has shown that exercise works in a similar way to antidepressants. An international research team has now found that regular exercise not only improves the symptoms of depression, but can also prevent the mental illness. Already one hour of sport per week can cause a lot.
More and more people are suffering from mental illness
According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, the number of people with depression worldwide has increased significantly. In Germany and the EU too, more and more people are suffering from the mental illness. According to the German Depressionshilfe fall in this country every year over five million people in need of treatment, unipolar depression. These diseases are "among the most common and severely underestimated in terms of severity", the experts write on their website. An international research team now reports on how to prevent a disease: through regular exercise.
It has been known for some time that regular exercise can help combat the symptoms of depression. Researchers now found that sport also reduces the risk of developing depression. (Image: baranq / fotolia.com) Sport helps against depression
That sports helps against depression has been known for some time.
At German clinics such as the Hannover Medical School (MHH), a training program against depression was introduced years ago.
Researchers have now found in an investigation that sports can also prevent depression.
Most extensive study of its kind
As reported by the international team of scientists under the direction of the Australian Black Dog Institute in the journal "American Journal of Psychiatry", one hour of exercise per week is enough to significantly reduce the risk of illness.
The benefits of sport are independent of gender and age.
For the largest and most comprehensive study of its kind so far, the data of 33,908 Norwegian adults were analyzed. The sports activities as well as the symptoms of depression were observed over a period of eleven years.
Even small amounts of exercise are sufficient
According to a statement from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, it turned out that twelve percent of depression could have been prevented if the participants had been physically active for only one hour a week.
"We have known for some time that physical training plays a role in treating the symptoms of depression, but this is the first time that we have been able to demonstrate the preventive potential of physical activity in terms of reducing a future degree to quantify depression, "said research leader Professor Samuel Harvey of the Black Dog Institute and the UNSW.
"These findings are exciting because they show that even relatively small amounts of exercise - one hour a week - can provide significant protection against depression."
"We are currently trying to find out exactly why sport has this protective effect. However, we believe the combined effect of various physical and social benefits is critical, "said Harvey, according to a statement from the Black Dog Institute.
Data from the HUNT study evaluated
The researchers evaluated data from the Health Trial of Nord-Trøndelag County (HUNT Study) - one of the largest and most comprehensive population-based health examinations ever conducted between January 1984 and June 1997.
At that time, the subjects should state how often and in what intensity they were engaged in sports. Later in the study, they were also asked to answer questions about the occurrence of anxiety and depression.
It also looked at variables that could influence the relationship between sports and common mental illness.
These included socioeconomic and demographic factors, drug use, body mass index (BMI), the onset of mental illness, and social support received.
Depression risk is over 40 percent lower
Researchers found that subjects who said they did not practice sports were 44 percent more likely to develop depression than those who did one to two hours of exercise per week.
However, it also became apparent that this protective effect did not occur in the case of anxiety.
According to the information, no relationship could be established between the extent and intensity of sport and the likelihood of becoming ill.
"The strongest benefits of mental health sports were demonstrated in the first hour of sports per week," said Professor Harvey.
According to the scientists, the results are very important as people around the world spend more and more time sitting and increasing the number of depression. Even a small change in lifestyle could bring benefits. (Ad)