Exercise has been recommended as an adjunct treatment for depression by both the WHO and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Exercise is efficacious in treating depression and depressive symptoms and should be offered as an evidence-based treatment option focusing on supervised and group exercise with moderate intensity and aerobic exercise regimes.

There are several hypotheses to explain the beneficial effects of exercise on mental health. Regular exercise has shown to lead to an increased release of β-endorphins following exercise, which are attributed to positive mood and overall well-being, resulting in a positive effect during depression. The thermogenic hypothesis states that an increase in the core body temperature will lead to reduction of depression symptoms. Another hypothesis is that exercise creates a distraction from worries and depressing thoughts. Exercise also results in self-efficacy which is the belief one has on themselves to complete a particular task, thus resulting in a positive outcome during depression.

Supervised exercise interventions were found to be very effective in individuals with major depressive disorders. It’s currently been considered as a first-line of treatment in addition to medication and psychotherapy. We also need to be cognizant of the population for whom exercise is not a possible therapeutic intervention. The initial motivation to begin exercise during depression is a challenge but when overcome will be one of the most effective treatments for depression. The first step is for individuals to identify what kind of exercise they enjoy doing and set reasonably attainable goals for their everyday exercise. Further, identifying the barriers for pursuing exercise every day and preparing for the setbacks and obstacles will ensure one get’s the benefits of exercise to improve their mental health. It is important to note that rigorous exercise is not always necessary to improve mental health, but small portions of consistent exercise will also improve the quality of life of these individuals.

.

http:// dx. doi.org/ 10. 1136/ bjsports- 2022-106282