Cited by 1,309Physical Activity and HealthTreatment of Major DepressionTryptophan and brain disorders

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Physical activity and depression: Towards understanding the antidepressant mechanisms of physical activity

Kandola, Aaron, Ashdown-Franks, Garcia, Hendrikse, Joshua, Sabiston, Catherine M., Stubbs, Brendon·2019·Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews

DOI 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.040

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Abstract

Physical activity can treat and prevent depressive symptoms, but its antidepressant mechanisms are yet to be established. In this review, we comprehensively assess key biological and psychosocial mechanisms through which physical activity exerts antidepressant effects, with a particular focus on exercise. Exercise, a subset of physical activity, influences a range of biological and psychosocial processes also implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. We focus on the capacity for exercise to elicit changes in neuroplasticity, inflammation, oxidative stress, the endocrine system, self-esteem, social support and self-efficacy. We also discuss how a better understanding of these mechanisms can inform the way we design and implement exercise-based interventions to maximise their antidepressant effects on an individual basis. We conclude by presenting a conceptual framework of the key biological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms, and the moderators and confounders that may influence it.

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Authors: Kandola, A., Ashdown-Franks, G., Hendrikse, J., Sabiston, C. M., & Stubbs, B.
Affiliations: University College London (GB)
Monash University (AU)
University of Toronto (CA)
National Health Service (GB)
Corresponding author: Kandola, Aaron
ORCID: Kandola, Aaron
Hendrikse, Joshua
Sabiston, Catherine M.
Stubbs, Brendon
Venue: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Published: 2019-12
Volume: 107
Pages: 525-539
ISSN: 0149-7634 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.040
OpenAlex: W2978644324
Semantic Scholar: 670b2192975cd4b76fb8c9b5e099dff17236b86b
Cited by: 1,309
References: 274
Citations by year: 2026: 228 · 2025: 299 · 2024: 241 · 2023: 208 · 2022: 179 · 2021: 100 · 2020: 51 · 2019: 2
FWCI: 9.75
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
www.elsevier.com/legal/tdmrep-license (tdm)
Locations: Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Research at York St John (York St John University) (acceptedVersion)
Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion)
Funders: ESRC (ES/P000592/1)
Mitacs Globalink Award
Canada Research Chairs Program
RTS scholarship
Health Education England
National Institute for Health Research HEE NIHR ICA Program Clinical Lectureship (ICA‐CL‐2017‐03‐001)
Maudsley Charity and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research
Care South London at King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Physical Activity and Health
Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology (medical) › Treatment of Major Depression
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Biological Psychiatry › Tryptophan and brain disorders
Keywords: physical activity, depression, antidepressant mechanism, neuroplasticity, inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine system, self-esteem, social support, self-efficacy, exercise-based interventions
MeSH terms: Antidepressive Agents, Depression, Depressive Disorder, Humans, Neuronal Plasticity, Social Support, Exercise

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Physical activity and depression: Towards understanding the antidepressant mechanisms of physical activity

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