Causal Associations of Physical Activity/Exercise and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

Wolff, Elisabeth; Ströhle, Andreas

doi:10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2010.44

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Interestingly, in genetically identical twin-pairs, the lack of leisure-time exercise did not increase anxiety or depression symptoms (126). However, this study took a very narrow approach at looking at exercise level, whereby physical activity, such as walking or cycling work, or vocational related physical activity were not considered (571). Lastly, adolescent girls with an allele for high BDNF received no protective effects against depression and anxiety symptoms by avoiding physical inactivity, while those with the allele causing lower BDNF level were protected (330).…”

Section: Depression and Anxietymentioning

confidence: 99%

Lack of Exercise Is a Major Cause of Chronic Diseases

Booth

Roberts

Laye

2012

Comprehensive Physiology

2,073

1,400

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Chronic diseases are major killers in the modern era. Physical inactivity is a primary cause of most chronic diseases. The initial third of the article considers: activity and prevention definitions; historical evidence showing physical inactivity is detrimental to health and normal organ functional capacities; cause versus treatment; physical activity and inactivity mechanisms differ; gene‐environment interaction (including aerobic training adaptations, personalized medicine, and co‐twin physical activity); and specificity of adaptations to type of training. Next, physical activity/exercise is examined as primary prevention against 35 chronic conditions [accelerated biological aging/premature death, low cardiorespiratory fitness (V o 2 max), sarcopenia, metabolic syndrome, obesity, insulin resistance, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, coronary heart disease, peripheral artery disease, hypertension, stroke, congestive heart failure, endothelial dysfunction, arterial dyslipidemia, hemostasis, deep vein thrombosis, cognitive dysfunction, depression and anxiety, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, balance, bone fracture/falls, rheumatoid arthritis, colon cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, gestational diabetes, pre‐eclampsia, polycystic ovary syndrome, erectile dysfunction, pain, diverticulitis, constipation, and gallbladder diseases]. The article ends with consideration of deterioration of risk factors in longer‐term sedentary groups; clinical consequences of inactive childhood/adolescence; and public policy. In summary, the body rapidly maladapts to insufficient physical activity, and if continued, results in substantial decreases in both total and quality years of life. Taken together, conclusive evidence exists that physical inactivity is one important cause of most chronic diseases. In addition, physical activity primarily prevents, or delays, chronic diseases, implying that chronic disease need not be an inevitable outcome during life. © 2012 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 2:1143‐1211, 2012.

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Section: Depression and Anxietymentioning

confidence: 99%

Lack of Exercise Is a Major Cause of Chronic Diseases

Booth

Roberts

Laye

2012

Comprehensive Physiology

2,073

1,400

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Even if it is ultimately shown that there is no causal relationship between physical activity and anxiety in the general population, it would not necessarily mean that exercise training is unable to cause improvements in symptoms of anxiety for some people. 57 Effects of Exercise Training by Healthy Adults on Anxiety Table 1 provides a summary of published systematic or quantitative reviews of exercise effects on anxiety. Since 1990, there have been 6 quantitative reviews that have summarized the effects of exercise training on anxiety where most or all of the data were based on findings from healthy adults.…”

Section: Epidemiology Of Physical Activity and Anxietymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Epidemiology Of Physical Activity and Anxietymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of Exercise Training on Anxiety

Herring

Lindheimer

O’Connor

2013

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine

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This review summarizes the extant evidence of the effects of exercise training on anxiety among healthy adults, adults with a chronic illness, and individuals diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. A brief discussion of selected proposed mechanisms that may underlie relations of exercise and anxiety is also provided. The weight of the available empirical evidence indicates that exercise training reduces symptoms of anxiety among healthy adults, chronically ill patients, and patients with panic disorder. Preliminary data suggest that exercise training can serve as an alternative therapy for patients with social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive–compulsive disorder. Anxiety reductions appear to be comparable to empirically supported treatments for panic and generalized anxiety disorders. Large trials aimed at more precisely determining the magnitude and generalizability of exercise training effects appear to be warranted for panic and generalized anxiety disorders. Future well-designed randomized controlled trials should (a) examine the therapeutic effects of exercise training among understudied anxiety disorders, including specific phobias, social anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder; (b) focus on understudied exercise modalities, including resistance exercise training and programs that combine exercise with cognitive-behavioral therapies; and (c) elucidate putative mechanisms of the anxiolytic effects of exercise training.

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“…However, the causal relationship between these two variables is controversial. In a large sample of twins, an increase in exercise did not predict fewer depressive symptoms (Wolff and Strohle, ). In our cross‐sectional study, the causal relationship between physical activity and depression could not be inferred.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%