Jornal de Estudos de Defesa e Gestão de Recursos

The Role of Physical Activities in the Management of Depression

Ogwuche CHE and Eze UG

The review seeks to examine the role of physical activities in the management of depression. A systematic review of past findings as it relates to physical activities and depression has shown some positive effect. However there may be methodological short comings in those resources. The physiological mechanisms of physical activities on depression have not yet been fully known. But reduced incidence rates of depression among physically active persons suggest that exercise can be used in the treatment of depression. Meanwhile, physical activities had to be used as an adjunct to conventional treat and pharmacotherapy. Therefore, the review recommends that both normal and depressed persons should constantly be involved in physical activities to help in either prevention or treatment of depression. Meanwhile hospitals should be provided with recreational materials to enable them mix physical activities with other forms of treatment.