Dancing, walking, jogging and strength training are more effective than other types of exercise in helping treat depression, according to new research published overnight and co-authored by a UniSC academic.
University of the Sunshine Coast clinical exercise physiology researcher Dr Dan van den Hoek said the findings confirmed that exercise could be a frontline therapy for depression and should be considered alongside psychotherapy and antidepressant medications.
“The research identified that there are some forms of exercise that are more effective as a treatment for depression than others,” he said.
“Additionally, exercise appeared to be equally effective for people with different health issues and levels of depression.”
The paper ‘Effect of exercise for depression’, published in The BMJ global health journal, was led by The University of Queensland academic Dr Michael Noetel.
Dr van den Hoek is currently working with UniSC’s psychology team to understand mental health, mental toughness and addiction in ultra endurance athletes and strength sports athletes.
