Approximately 1 in 5 Americans live with a mental illness. So when IDEA Fitness Journal released an article examining the relationship between exercise and mental health I knew it was important to share their findings.
Findings were based on examined data from more than 1.2 million U.S. adults who answered the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Below are excerpts of their findings.
- How effective is exercise in managing mental health problems?
- Those who exercised had 43% fewer self-reported mental health burdens per month than non-exercisers. Research also found that active people are nearly 45% less likely to have depressive symptoms than inactive people.
- Are all types of exercise associated with improved mental health?
- Yes! Engaging in any type of exercise is associated with fewer mental health burdens compared to non-exercisers. Those that engaged in mindful exercises (such as yoga and tai chi), popular sports, cycling, aerobic and gym exercises had the highest reduction in mental health burdens.
- Is there an optimal exercise session duration for improving mental health burdens?
- Those who exercised between 30 and 60 minutes had the fewest reported mental health burdens. The greatest amount of mental health burdens reported were seen in those who exercise duration lasted 3 hours or more.
- Is there an optimal exercise frequency for reducing mental health burdens?
- The fewest reported mental health burdens were seen in those who exercised 3 to 5 times per week. This association was seen in all exercise types for light, moderate and vigorous intensities.
- Is any specific exercise intensity associated with more favorable decreases in mental health burdens?
- Yes. Vigorous exercise was associated with better mental health outcomes than both light and moderate exercise intensities.
Archer, S. (2021, June 2). Exercise and Mental Health. IDEA Health & Fitness Association. //www.ideafit.com/mind-body-recovery/exercise-and-mental-health
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