Physical activity does the brain good. For example, it fosters its ability to change and adapt.
The dual beneficial effect of physical activity in depression is
confirmed by a study at the University Clinic for Psychiatry and
Psychotherapy at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) at the Ostwestfalen-Lippe
campus: physical activity not only reduces depressive symptoms. It also
increases the brain's ability to change, which is necessary for
adaptation and learning processes.
"The results show how important seemingly simple things like physical
activity are in treating and preventing illnesses such as depression,"
says study leader associate professor Dr. Karin Rosenkranz.
The study was published on 9 June 2021 in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry.
Exercise programme promotes motivation and togetherness
People with depression often withdraw and are physically inactive. To
investigate the effect of physical activity, Karin Rosenkranz's working
group enlisted 41 people, who were undergoing treatment at the
hospital, for the study. The participants were each assigned to one of
two groups, one of which completed a three-week exercise programme. The
programme, which was developed by the sports science team from the
University of Bielefeld led by Professor Thomas Schack, was varied,
contained fun elements, and did not take the form of a competition or
test, but instead required teamwork from the participants. "This
specifically promoted motivation and social togetherness while breaking
down a fear of challenges and negative experiences with physical
activity -- such as school PE lessons," explains Karin Rosenkranz. The
other group took part in a control programme without physical activity.
The study team ascertained the severity of the depressive symptoms,
such as a loss of drive and interest, lack of motivation and negative
feelings, both before and after the programme. The brain's ability to
change, known as neuroplasticity, was also measured. It can be
determined externally with the help of transcranial magnetic
stimulation. "The ability to change is important for all of the brain's
learning and adaptation processes," explains Karin Rosenkranz.
Ability to change increased -- symptoms decreased
The results show that the brain's ability to change is lower in
people with depression than in healthy people. Following the programme
with physical activity, this ability to change increased significantly
and achieved the same values as healthy people. At the same time,
depressive symptoms decreased in the group. "The more the ability to
change increased, the more clearly the clinical symptoms decreased,"
summarises Karin Rosenkranz. These changes were not so pronounced in the
group who took part in the control programme. "This shows that physical
activity has an effect on symptoms and the brain's ability to change.
We cannot say to what extent the change in symptoms and the brain's
ability to change are causally linked based on this data," says the
doctor, referring to the limitations. "It is known that physical
activity does the brain good, as it, for instance, promotes the
formation of neuron connections. This could certainly also play a role
here."
Story Source:
Materials provided by Ruhr-University Bochum. Original written by Meike Drießen. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
Journal Reference: