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Sport helps against depression
At least one in ten people in the western industrial nations suffer from a depressive disorder during their lifetime. Depression has long been a common disease. They are usually treated with medications (antidepressants) and psychotherapy. But sports and physical activities can help and even reduce medication.
Depression has long been a common disease
Depression has long been one of the common diseases. Around four to five million people in Germany suffer from it. The disease is accompanied by numerous mental and physical complaints, such as depression, listlessness, sexual inactivity or sleep disorders. In the long term, depression can promote type II diabetes, heart disease and heart attack. "Depression is therefore as high a health risk as smoking, obesity and high blood pressure," said Professor. Kai Kahl from the Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the Hannover Medical School (MHH) in a statement. But this risk can be lowered.
Depression is usually treated with medication and psychotherapy. But also sports and physical activities can help. (Image: JackF / fotolia.com) Sporting activities can help
The treatment of depression is traditionally medications (antidepressants) and psychotherapy. But also physical activities can relieve depression. Researchers have come to the conclusion that sport works in a similar way to antidepressants. Years ago, a training program against depression had been presented at the MHH. An interdisciplinary study of the university came to the conclusion that depressive patients reduced by a six-week structured sports therapy their too large heart fat tissue - and thus the probability of, for example, a heart attack.
High risk of cardiovascular disease
According to the data, cardiovascular diseases are the second leading cause of death in depression. MHH researchers have been studying for years why people with depression are particularly at risk. "Depression leads to a series of endocrine and immunological changes in the body, which in the long run lead to an increase in the heart fat tissue. A large heart fat tissue is a known risk factor for the development of coronary atherosclerosis, ie the calcification of the coronary arteries, "said Professor Kahl. The deposits narrow the vessels and can lead to infarcts. In addition, people with depression often suffer from lack of energy and tend to move rather little, which also strains the cardiovascular system.
Sports therapy for depressed patients
Together with colleagues from the Institute of Sports Medicine, the Department of Cardiology and Angiology and the Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, the psychiatrist researched the topic. "We wanted to take a closer look at the heart health of depressed patients and find out if they can improve something with certain physical activities," says Professor Kahl. The study involved 42 patients hospitalized for depression at the Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy.
The participants were between 40 and 45 years old and were treated with individual psychotherapy and with differentiated psychopharmacotherapy. Half of the volunteers also took part in a structured sports therapy developed by the Institute of Sports Medicine especially for patients with depression. This program consisted of six weeks of strength and endurance training with three 45-minute sessions per week. The intensity was slowly increased according to the cardiovascular values and the self-assessment of the patients.
Training ensures reduction of heart fat
At baseline, the researchers found that depressive people on average 1.5 times more heart fat than healthy people. "The size of the difference surprised us a lot," said Professor Kahl. But after the six-week sports therapy, the participants had lost about ten percent of their heart fat. In addition, the special training provided for a reduction of the equally dangerous, in depressed patients above average stomach fat, an improvement in HDL cholesterol levels and improved maximum oxygen saturation of the blood. The physical activity also has a positive effect on the psyche.
Sport as a third pillar in the treatment of depression
"The study shows that structured intensive training is a good way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attack," said the psychiatrist. "A long-term change in lifestyle to targeted exercise can significantly improve the health of depressed patients." He is pleased that all patients from the sports group finished the program and about one-third voluntarily continue thereafter. "It used to be said that depressive patients are hard to motivate for sports. But it can work if they are looked after intensively and the program is optimally tailored to them. Sports therapy should be added as the third pillar of psychotherapeutic and drug therapy for the treatment of depressive patients, "said Professor Kahl. The psychiatrist hopes that this part will soon be included in the medical guidelines for the treatment of depression. (Ad)