www.goodnewsnetwork.org
The Dual Beneficial Effect of Physical Activity in Depression Gets Confirmed By New Study
The dual beneficial effect of physical activity in depression is confirmed by a new study from Ruhr-University Bochum.
Health
Physical activity does the brain good. For example, it fosters its ability to change and adapt.
The dual beneficial effect of physical activity in depression is confirmed by a study at Ruhr-Universität Bochum: not only does it reduce depressive symptoms—which you may have already guessed.
Perhaps more surprisingly, it also increases the brain’s ability to change, which is necessary for adaptation and learning processes.
“The results show how important seemingly simple things like physical activity are in treating and preventing illnesses such as depression,” says study leader associate professor Dr. Karin Rosenkranz.
Exercise program promotes motivation and togetherness
People with depression often withdraw and are physically inactive. To investigate the effect of physical activity, Karin Rosenkranz’s working group enlisted 41 people, who were undergoing treatment at the hospital, for the study. The participants were each assigned to one of two groups, one of which completed a three-week exercise program.