IBS GRANADA scientists confirm that exercising reduces the risk of depression
The research group E-05 on Bioenvironmental Psychiatry of the Epidemiology and Public Health Area of the ibs.GRANADA, led by Dr. Jorge Cervilla show that people who exercise regularly have up to 40% lower risk of developing depression than sedentary people. In this work, published in the prestigious scientific journal Journal of Affective Disorders, the researchers have analyzed a large sample, consisting of 4.507 people
This group of researchers have determined that the regular practice of physical exercise is a protective factor for mental health, thus empirically demonstrating that the Roman saying "Mens Sana in Corpore Sano" is scientifically true.
In this work, published in the prestigious scientific journal Journal of Affective Disorders, the researchers have analyzed a large sample, made up of 4.507 people who participated in an epidemiological study throughout Andalusia (PISMA-ep Study), in which information was collected on the physical exercise they performed, their physical health and their weight.
Likewise, participants were administered a battery of validated diagnostic tests to establish the clinical diagnosis of depression.
The study coordinated by the UGR shows that those subjects who practice regular physical exercise have up to 40% less risk of developing depression than sedentary people. "In addition, this effect is greater the greater the regularity and intensity of the exercise", explains the coordinator of this work, the professor of Psychiatry at the UGR Jorge Cervilla.
The protective effect of exercise remains significant per se, according to this study, even after discounting the effects that factors such as weight have on depression (since this disease increases the patient's Body Mass Index) or physical health.
Along with Jorge Cervilla, the professors Margarita Rivera, Esther Molina and Blanca Gutiérrez have also participated in this work, as well as the psychiatrist Alejandro Porras and the doctor David López Chaves.
Currently, the research group is preparing an intervention study to compare the effects of regulated physical exercise with other treatments for depression such as psychotropic drugs or psychotherapy, for which it could be an adjunctive treatment.
Bibliographic reference:
Physical exercise and body max index as correlates of major depressive
disorder in community-dwelling adults: results from the PISMA-ep study
Alejandro Porras-Segovia, Margarita Rivera, Esther Molina, David Lopez-
Chaves, Blanca Gutierrez, Jorge Cervilla
Journal of Affective Disorders. Inpress.