An Overview of Positive Interaction between Exercise and Mental Health

Abstract

Brain plasticity is a complex mechanism which depends on a variety of environmental and external parameters, including physical activity. Thus, cerebral plasticity may be improved with increased physical activity as a complement to therapy or cognitive training in the case of mental health problems. Many correlations were already reported in the current literature between practice of exercise, and improvement of cognitive function, mental health and state of participants with neurodegenerative diseases. The current communication illustrates and simplifies some existing interaction between the cerebral plasticity in cortex and hippocampus; and the practice of physical activity with animal model or human participants.

Nurses’ occupational physical activity and workload in a perioperative intensive care unit in Slovenia

“…Physical activity reduces the risk of multiple chronic diseases, including diabetes, osteoarthritis, and hypertension, and it improves the general health, cognitive function, and quality of life ( Committee, 2018 ). Physical activity not only improves physical health, but also mental well-being by promoting self-esteem, alleviating symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental and mood disorders ( Sosso and Raouafi, 2017 ).…”

Swimming training on moderate intensity significantly reduces total cholesterol and bodyweight on hypercholesterolemic rat model

“…Numerous studies have also demonstrated a positive effect of regular exercise to prevent the development of atherosclerosis (Khosravani et al, 2016), as well as improve immune part of healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise contributes to physical and physiological health (Ohuruogu, 2016), as well as mental well-being (Sosso & Raouafi, 2017). Studies found that regular exercise improves immune system against free radical that can cause oxidative damage.…”

Insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, anxiety, depression and socioeconomic status among customer service employees in Canada

“…An important part of this modern age is the possibility to complete almost everything online or by phone. Even if this evolution makes our lives easier, evidence suggests that cell phones have a negative impact on our physical health, our socialization and our brains (Wei et al, 2012; Arora et al, 2013a; Etindele Sosso and Raouafi, 2016; 2017; Etindele Sosso, 2018). Many studies reported associations between lack of physical activity and obesity (Arora et al, 2013a; Arora et al, 2013b), between poor and moderate physical activity and cardiovascular diseases (Nicholson et al, 2012; Etindele Sosso and Raouafi, 2016), or development of cognitive impairment with an excessive use of technology (Shams et al, 2015).…”