New research reveals running could have similar benefits to antidepressants

An exciting development

There might be more to the 'runner's high' than previously thought. Image: iStock

The benefits of exercise for our physical and mental health have long been recognised by experts in every sector of health, with the latest research examining the specific influence regularly running can have on conditions such as depression and anxiety. 

Exercise, in its many varied forms, already has a pretty impressive reputation for its countless health advantages. Practising yoga has been linked to improved relaxation and sleep quality, pilates with injury prevention, and more recently experts have reduced the average recommended daily step count from 10,000 to 4,000, revealing the latter still provides individuals with a daily boost. 

We’ve all experienced, or at least heard of, the ‘runner’s high’, a hit of endorphins following a sweaty session. Now, a new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders has revealed running, a form of anaerobic exercise already associated with a string of physical health benefits, shows promising potential to improve symptoms of mental health disorders.  

While further studies are needed, this new research offers a glimpse into the potential for physical activity to be formally prescribed to treat and manage conditions by mental health professionals.

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Details of the study 

The research followed the symptoms of 141 participants over 16 weeks, each previously diagnosed with depression or anxiety. Offered a choice between taking prescribed antidepressant medication or running to alleviate their symptoms, the participants were split into groups of 45 and 96 respectively. The runners’ exercise plan consisted of outdoor running two or more times per week. 

Experts behind the study concluded that 44 per cent of the selected participants reported a noticeable improvement in their symptoms, but upon further examination, the results revealed a noticeable disparity between each group. 

While the results are certainly impressive, there is reason to point out potential bias within the selection of participants, likely influencing the final statistics, mainly within the group assigned to running. 

The running participants' exercise plan consisted of outdoor running two or more times per week. Image: iStock

Given the nature of the participants’ conditions, the running group was shown to have a much lower adherence rate (52 per cent) than the group prescribed antidepressants (82 per cent), suggesting that while physical activity may be effective, it is much harder to regularly manage. 

"Interestingly, our study did show a larger decrease in anxiety symptoms after six weeks in the antidepressant group, which suggests faster improvement on especially anxiety-related symptoms," researchers write, suggesting prescribed medication is still a more controllable method of treatment.

Whether due to negative past experiences, such as unwanted side effects, many patients diagnosed with such mental health conditions prefer to explore other treatment options besides prescribed medication. In these cases, the results of the study offer a promising future, providing one research-backed option for health professionals to suggest. However, further research and trials are needed before any definitive recommendation can be drawn.

Though a link between running. and improved mental health has been established, more research is needed before people ditch their prescriptions for antidepressants. Image: iStock

Running shouldn’t replace prescribed medication

To be clear, despite concluding the results are an impressive indication of the potential for exercise to benefit several mental health conditions, researchers and health professionals responsible for the study do not recommend ditching your prescribed medication in favour of a 5km jog. 

The promising research stands as a firm reminder that our lifestyle choices, such as nutrition, physical activity, sleep or socialisation, influence our mental and physical health immensely. And while modern medicine has provided more scientific breakthroughs to cure and manage nearly every kind of ailment, experts in any health field would agree that responsible and conscientious lifestyle choices are the key to supplementing the benefits such medications provide. 

It is always recommended you speak to your doctor if you’re considering complimenting the effects of your prescribed medication with a lifestyle change such as running or other vigorous anaerobic exercises. 

Originally published as New research reveals running could have similar benefits to antidepressants