Exercise more effective than medications and counselling in treating depression

Physical activity is 1.5 times more effective in managing mental health conditions than counselling and medications, University of South Australia researchers finds.

Pilates and yoga are the best forms of exercise to manage anxiety. Picture: Supplied

Exercise could be the antidote to managing mental health conditions, with new research revealing physical activity is 1.5 times more effective in mitigating depression than counselling and medications.

Researchers at the University of South Australia have undertaken the most comprehensive statistical analysis on mental health and exercise, drawing on 1039 trials with more than 128,000 participants worldwide.

The investigation found all forms of physical activity, from aerobic, resistance, yoga and mixed-mode exercise, had positive mental health benefits on participants, with high intensity workouts proven more effective than low intensity.

Lifting weights and strength exercises were found to be most effective in managing depression while yoga and pilates were best for anxiety.

Lead researcher Ben Singh said the study was prompted by the increased rates of depression, anxiety and distress seen during the pandemic and existing studies that suggest one in two Australians would experience a mental health disorder at some point.

“Exercise and physical activity is just so accessible and a lot of the evidence we evaluated, some of the activities involved simply going on a 15 or 20-minute walk around your neighbourhood,” Dr Singh said.