Exercise Promotes Longevity and Mental Health

Exercise Promotes Longevity and Mental Health

Posted on: Thursday, 10 April 2008, 00:30 CDT

People who walk, jog or even regularly clean their home may be encouraged by the results of two new studies that showed even scrubbing and sweeping may have positive effects on their mental health.

In one study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers at University College London studied 20,000 people to determine their amount of weekly exercise and their mental health.

The British team began the study with the assumption that a large proportion of people fail to engage in a reasonable amount of physical activity on a weekly basis. They found that walking is associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease and risks of death among men and women.

They prescribed an exercise regiment of 3 hours per week walking at moderate pace, adding that more benefits tend to rise as walking speeds increase.

Researchers looked at the symptoms of stress and anxiety among 3,000 people to determine a link between symptoms and exercise.

Taking part in sports at least once a week lowered the risk by 33 percent, while housework and walking could cut it by as much as 20 percent, researchers said.

 

They emphasized that no less than 20 minutes of physical activity was required to gain mental health benefits.

"Many studies suggest benefits for mental health from exercise, and for the first time we have been able to quantify the amount of activity which seems to make a difference," said Mark Hamer of University College London.

"But it is a chicken and egg issue - as those who suffer from stress or anxiety may be less likely to take part in physical activity in the first place."

Sane, a charity focused on mental health, noted that much is still unknown about the nature of the relationship, and that people who suffer from severe cases of anxiety and mental health issues should seek professional help.

"This study may offer hope to those suffering mental pain that small, manageable lifestyle changes can improve mental wellbeing", said Sane spokesman Richard Colwill.

"The brain is as much a 'physical' organ as the heart or lungs, so perhaps it should not come as a surprise that even little amounts of regular exercise can begin to reduce psychological distress."

In a separate study, researchers at the University of Toronto studied a different aspect of physical activity and the human body.

After looking at a group of 400 adults aged between 55 and 85, researchers found

that regular exercise may allow adults to live longer because it aids in training the body to use oxygen more effectively in generating energy.

Lorna Layward, research manager at Help The Aged, said it was "never too late" to begin a regiment of physical activity.

"When people hear the word 'aerobic' they tend to think of Lycra and tracksuits, but there are all sorts of activities from dancing to swimming that can make a huge difference.

The World Health Organization has stated that overall physical inactivity is estimated to cause 1.9 million deaths and 19 million disability adjusted life years globally.