Exercise reduces the risk of depression

HSPRIS –

Wednesday, January 30

Winter is known as the time of year when people are more prone to depression, partly because of cold and dark, but also because people tend to get out of the house and reduce activities. social and physical.

Depression has long been badociated with physical activity, but the nature of this badociation – up to now – has left a question on the table: can exercise reduce the risk of depression in first place?

A new study by researchers at Mbadachusetts General Hospital has now found an answer to this question. "Using genetic data, we found evidence that higher levels of physical activity could indirectly reduce the risk of depression," said team leader Carmel Choi.

This means that if you exercise regularly, this effectively reduces your risk of depression. This research is based on sets of data from badociation studies at the genetic level of physical activity and depression.

There were two sets of data on physical activity, one in which participants self-recorded exercise levels and another collected from a motion sensor.

The motion sensor data showed that physical activity could prevent depression – but the self-recorded data set did not find such a relationship.

The study revealed that it may be because people did not mention certain forms of physical activity in their relationships, such as walking to work or cleaning the house. However, according to the study, any form of physical activity can help prevent depression.

However, Choi stresses that "… of course, knowing that physical activity can be helpful in preventing depression is one thing and that it makes people active." Further efforts are needed to find the best way to adapt the recommendations to the different categories. People with different health risks ".

She adds that researchers are now looking into the benefits of sports for different people and how this information can help promote physical activity in general.

People with a genetic predisposition to depression may need to take a different approach to exercise than those who have experienced stressful situations that have caused depression.