Is your fitness level crucial? Those who exercise so often lower their risk of depression

2021-01-21T15:09:00.253Z

Sport prevents illnesses and obesity and is also good for the psyche. Researchers have now found out how enormous the effect of exercise is on the risk of depression.

Sport prevents diseases and obesity and is also good for the psyche.

Researchers have now found out how enormous the effect of exercise is on the risk of depression.

Those who exercise frequently not only feel more comfortable in their skin, but also strengthen their heart and circulation.
Mental well-being is also increased through sport.
A British-American research team has now shed light on how exercise affects the risk of depression.

The lockdown makes many people even lazier than they already are.

There are hours of comfortably "searching" for series and many people don't miss out on sleep.

Is the journey from the home office chair to the bathroom currently the longest that you cover every day?

Then you should quickly take out your running shoes and take a more frequent lap in the park - because too little exercise increases the risk of developing depression.

A research team led by Aaron A. Kandola from University College in London found out in a study how enormous the effects of too little exercise are on our psyche.

People with a low fitness level in the field of endurance and weight training suffered from depression almost twice as often as fit study participants

The risk of anxiety disorders * was also increased by 60 percent.

In total, the researchers analyzed the data from nearly 153,000 people between the ages of 40 and 69 years.

The scientists tested the fitness level of the test subjects using a bicycle ergometer test with increasing resistance and a test of grip strength.

In addition, the study participants answered a questionnaire as to whether they suffered from anxiety or depression.

Seven years later this data was collected again.

The result:

Those who did well in the area of endurance and strength at the start of the study were also less likely to be affected by depression seven years after the first tests

Are you interested in more exercise?

A rowing machine for at home (promotional link) is a good means of incorporating more exercise into everyday life, especially during the current exit restrictions.

Combination of endurance and weight training counteracts depression and anxiety

On the other hand, people whose fitness level left a lot to be desired showed 98 percent more symptoms of depression and 60 percent more anxiety than the fit group at the time of the follow-up examination.

"Our results suggest that encouraging people to exercise more has far-reaching public health benefits and can improve not only our physical but also our mental health," the portal Fitbook quotes senior author Dr.

Joseph Hayes: "

Improving fitness through a combination of cardio and strength training seems to be more beneficial than just focusing on endurance sports or muscular fitness.

Another study, published in

The American Journal of Psychiatry

, suggests that just

one hour of physical activity per week

can lower the risk of depression.

Moderate training such as quick walks or climbing stairs are also effective.

(jg) * Merkur.de belongs to the Germany-wide Ippen-Digital editorial network

To the study