Physical activity for the prevention and management of mental health

Question 1

Aims

Answer 1

1) Understand the relationship between physical activity and the onset of mood disorders.
2) Review the evidence for the efficacy, mechanisms and implementation for physical activity for serious mental disorders.

Question 2

Take home messages – movement and mental

health/illness

Answer 2

• Higher levels of PA associated with decreased risk of
  developing depression in future
• Evident in all ages
• All continents and both genders
• Cardiorespiratory fitness protective against
  emergence of mental disorders. similar emerging evidence for resistance training too.

Question 3

Optimal exercise programme

Answer 3

• Individualised
• Aerobic exercise > 12 weeks moderate/high intensity
• Resistance training
• Supervised by recognised professional

Question 4

EPA recommendations

Answer 4

• Physical activity should be used as frontline adjunctive treatment for depressive symptoms
(High evidence, A)

• Physical activity should be utilised as an adjunctive treatment for schizophrenia-spectrum
disorders, to improve symptoms, cognition and QoL (good evidence, B)

• Physical activity should be used to improve physical health in people with SMI (Some
evidence, C)
• People with SMI should be screened for PA habits in primary and secondary care (Based on
expert opinion, D)

Question 5

Summary

Answer 5

• Physical inactivity is a leading cause of years lived with disability and associated with multiple physical health conditions and premature mortality.
• In the general population, PA is effective for managing cardiometabolic disease and longevity.
• People with SMI engage in low levels of PA.

• PA interventions work for multiple outcomes in people
with SMI.

• There are strategies that can be used in practice, ranging from brief conversations to referrals to referral to community and specialist services.