Walking, jogging, and engaging in yoga can provide many health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, increased flexibility, and reduced stress levels. A recent study published in the British Medical Journal suggests that engaging in activities such as walking, jogging, yoga, and strength training may be an effective way to reduce depression.
The study, published in the British Medical Journal, highlights the benefits of these exercises and shows that while low-intensity training is also beneficial, more intense activities tend to produce even greater results. Masu. According to the World Health Organization, depression affects an estimated 300 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Despite the prevalence of depression, guidelines regarding the optimal prescription of exercise as a treatment for depression remain unclear. For the study, researchers analyzed 218 trials involving 14,170 participants with depression, evaluating various factors such as type, intensity, and frequency of exercise.
The results showed that both walking/jogging and yoga were effective for people of all genders, while strength training was particularly effective for young people and women. However, yoga showed greater benefits for men and older adults. In an accompanying editorial, Juan Ángel Verón of the University of Malaga highlighted the challenges that patients with depression face in maintaining regular exercise habits due to symptoms of fatigue and low energy.
Mr. Bellon emphasized the importance of health services that provide accessible, individualized, and supervised exercise programs to overcome these barriers. The study highlights the potential for exercise to be a core treatment for depression, although it acknowledges limitations in the quality of the evidence and the lack of long-term monitoring in some trials. Despite ongoing debate and changes in treatment guidelines, exercise remains a commonly recommended complementary therapy alongside psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy for managing depression.
