”The study found overall that people with higher levels of physical activity were significantly less likely to develop depression, compared with people with low levels of physical activity (adjusted odds ratio=0.83). Physical activity had a protective effect against the emergence of depression in young people (adjusted odds ratio=0.90), adults (adjusted odds ratio=0.78), and in elderly people (adjusted odds ratio=0.79). Protective effects against depression were found across geographical regions, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 0.65 to 0.84 in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania, and against major depression diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio=0.86).
“Our meta-analysis suggests that physical activity is associated with a decrease in the risk of developing depression, which raises an inevitable question: How might physical activity offer protection against depression onset?” the authors wrote. “It is likely that no single mechanism can explain this relationship. A range of biochemical and psychosocial factors are likely responsible, including biological mechanisms through which exercise increases neurogenesis and reduces inflammatory and oxidant markers and activates the endocannabinoid system.”
“Our meta-analysis suggests that physical activity is associated with a decrease in the risk of developing depression, which raises an inevitable question: How might physical activity offer protection against depression onset?” the authors wrote. “It is likely that no single mechanism can explain this relationship. A range of biochemical and psychosocial factors are likely responsible, including biological mechanisms through which exercise increases neurogenesis and reduces inflammatory and oxidant markers and activates the endocannabinoid system.”
