Exercise Beats Depression: New Study Finds

New research indicates that exercise could be a powerful tool in managing depression, showing comparable effectiveness to established treatments like psychological therapies and antidepressant medications. A comprehensive review of numerous studies suggests that physical activity provides moderate benefits for individuals experiencing depressive symptoms, offering a safe and accessible option.

The findings highlight that light to moderate intensity exercise may be more beneficial than vigorous workouts. Furthermore, combining different types of exercise, such as resistance training with aerobic activities, appears to yield better results. The optimal range for exercise sessions seemed to be between 13 and 36, contributing to noticeable improvements.

While the evidence supporting exercise as a treatment for depression is promising, researchers caution that the long-term benefits and applicability to the broader population require further investigation. Many studies focused on structured exercise programs, and understanding how these findings translate to individuals not part of such programs remains an area for future exploration.