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Cited by 505Physical Activity and HealthTreatment of Major DepressionAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes

Exercise and the Treatment of Clinical Depression in Adults: Recent Findings and Future Directions

Brosse, Alisha L., Sheets, Erin S., Lett, Heather S., Blumenthal, James A.·2002·Sports Medicine
DOI 10.2165/00007256-200232120-00001
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Abstract

This article critically reviews the evidence that exercise is effective in treating depression in adults. Depression is recognised as a mood state, clinical syndrome and psychiatric condition, and traditional methods for assessing depression (e.g. standard interviews, questionnaires) are described. In order to place exercise therapy into context, more established methods for treating clinical depression are discussed. Observational (e.g. cross-sectional and correlational) and interventional studies of exercise are reviewed in healthy adults, those with comorbid medical conditions, and patients with major depression. Potential mechanisms by which exercise may reduce depression are described, and directions for future research in the area are suggested. The available evidence provides considerable support for the value of exercise in reducing depressive symptoms in both healthy and clinical populations. However, many studies have significant methodological limitations. Thus, more data from carefully conducted clinical trials are needed before exercise can be recommended as an alternative to more traditional, empirically validated pharmacological and behavioural therapies.

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Crossref · 10.2165/00007256-200232120-00001

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208 of 208 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Exercise has been shown to be effective in improving mood, but the mechanisms that underlie these changes and the specifics regarding type and frequency of exercise remain unclear.

    “Exercise has been shown to be effective in improving mood, but the mechanisms that underlie these changes and the specifics regarding type and frequency of exercise remain unclear. [31-33]”

    From A pilot study on the effects of exercise on depression symptoms using levels of neurotransmitters and EEG as markers (2014) · cites this paper as [32]

  • Exercise-based interventions have an antidepressant effect in people with depression, with some studies reporting treatment efficacy comparable to antidepressant medications or psychotherapy.

    “Most notably, exercise-based interventions have been consistently demonstrated as having an antidepressant effect in people with depression [33, 34]⁠, with some studies reporting a treatment efficacy comparable to antidepressant medications or psychotherapy [35–37]⁠.”

    From Moving to Beat Anxiety: Epidemiology and Therapeutic Issues with Physical Activity for Anxiety (2018) · cites this paper as [36]

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Authors
Brosse, A. L., Sheets, E. S., Lett, H. S., & Blumenthal, J. A.
Affiliations
  • University of Colorado System (US)
  • Duke University (US)
Corresponding author
Blumenthal, James A.
ORCID
Venue
Sports Medicine
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2002
Volume
32
Issue
12
Pages
741-760
ISSN
0112-1642 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.2165/00007256-200232120-00001
OpenAlex
W2042575337
Cited by
505
References
208
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 30 · 2012: 28
FWCI
1.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Sports Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute of Mental Health (MH49679, R01MH049679)
  • National Center for Research Resources (M01 RR 30)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Keywords
exercise therapy, major depressive disorder, depressive symptoms, depression assessment, comorbidities, pharmacotherapy, behavior therapy, adults
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Chronic Disease, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Exercise

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