Lecture 12- Physical Activity and Anxiety

Question 1

Randomised controlled trial evidence- Depression

Answer 1

Very strong evidence for aerobic forms of PA, other modes (e.g yoga) also beneficial

Question 2

Combining …. and …… “may” be optimal

Answer 2

Aerobic and muscle strengthening

Question 3

How does PA compare to other treatments

Exercise ….
Medications
Exercise group..

Answer 3

Exercise is as effective as other treatments
BUT
Medication works faster
BUT
Exercise groups less likely to rep-lapse (when exercise continued)

Question 4

qualitative research

Answer 4

Obtaining peoples experiences of PA and depression and applying rigorous analysis to understand them

Question 5

Qualitative research analysis

Answer 5

is based on researchers interpretation of what was said requires processes to ensure bias is removed

Question 6

what might be some of the challenges of promoting or using physcial activity as a means of treating depression?

Answer 6

-Low confidence when experiencing symptoms
-fatigue, mental exhaustion
-social withdraw and or anxiety
-Fear of failure, social evaluation

Question 7

Be aware of your limitations as a practitioner

Answer 7

Recognise the signs and engage the help of a GP/clinical psychologist

Question 8

Anxiety

Answer 8

State of worry, apprehension or tension that often occurs in the absence of real or obvious danger

Question 9

State anxiety

Answer 9

Induced by situation

Question 10

Trait anxiety

Answer 10

Occurs on a daily basis

Question 11

During 2020 lockdown …..%

Answer 11

15.6% of NZ respondents reported moderate to high anxiety; younger adults fared worse

Question 12

PA and anxiety -cohurt studies

Answer 12

In non-anxious people-higher levels of self reported PA associated with decreased risk of developing anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders at least 1 year later

Question 13

Anxiety and PA relationships under COVID restrictions
Those who spent -> total time in moderate to vigorous PA -> ….% lower chances of presenting anxiety symptoms

Answer 13

15-34%

Question 14

PA interventions are effective in improving symptoms of anxiety BUT…

Answer 14

the quality and volume of RCT evidence is not as strong as fro depression

Question 15

For anxiety was are the most effective modes of exercise

Answer 15

All modes effective interestingly strongest effect was for yoga, stretching and other mind body exercise

Question 16

For anxiety what intensity was better

Answer 16

Moderate to high is better than low

Question 17

Experimental evidence -state anxiety

Will one session of exercise make us feel less anxious?

Answer 17

YES, for at least 2-4 hours post exercise; similar effects to relaxation

Question 18

Experimental evidence -state anxiety

Quality of evidence is poor

Answer 18

Expectancy bias is inevitable; participants not actually anxious

Question 19

Decreases anxiety
Intensity
Type
Time

Answer 19

• Moderate and high intensity
• Aerobic exercise dominates research
• 30-45min/session

Question 20

Neurobiological

Answer 20

Exercise can produce similar changes in the brain neural systems that occur with medication

Question 21

Limitation to the research

Answer 21

Lots of this work done on animals, generalisability to humans difficult

Question 22

Psychosocial

Answer 22

-self confidence
Distraction
-Reappraisal of anxiety symptoms