Medical-Fitness Technician
Certification Course
Part B: Exercise & Patho-Physiology (LM:11-24)
Certification Course
Part B: Exercise & Patho-Physiology (LM:11-24)
Learning Module 19:
Exercise & Mental Illness
Exercise & Mental Illness
Study the Learning Module with the Video and take the Quiz.
Learning Objectives
- Know some of the benefits of regular exercise for preventing and/or treating mental illness.
- Know some of the proposed mechanisms in which exercise and mental illness interact.
- Understand the relationship between exercise and mental illness.
Benefits: Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative moods, and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function. These improvements are most likely caused by increased blood circulation to the brain.
Mechanisms: The link between exercise and mental health is complicated.
- Regular exercise reduces the risk of developing mental illness.
- Structured group exercise programs may be more beneficial for individuals with serious mental illness.
- Lifestyle changes that increase moderate physical activity throughout the day are more appropriate for most patients.
- Exercise helps treat the primary mental health conditions of depression and anxiety.
- For mild-moderate depression, exercise can be as effective as antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Adherence to physical activity interventions in psychiatric patients is comparable to that in the general population.
- Exercise can boost your mood, concentration, and alertness.
- Exercise can even help give you a positive outlook on life.
- Exercise can also be a valuable addition to other psychiatric treatments.
Mechanisms: The link between exercise and mental health is complicated.
- The levels of chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin, stress hormones, and endorphins, change when you exercise.
- Regular exercise can help you sleep better -- good sleep helps you manage your mood.
- Exercise can improve your sense of control, self-efficacy, coping ability, and self-esteem.
- People who exercise regularly often report how good achieving a goal makes them feel.
- Exercise can distract you from negative thoughts and provide opportunities to try new experiences.
- Exercise offers an opportunity to socialize and get social support, if you exercise with others.
- Exercise increases your energy levels.
- Physical activity can be an outlet for your frustrations.
- Exercise can reduce skeletal muscle tension, which helps you feel more relaxed.
Co-Morbidity: Mental and physical health are equally important components of overall health.
Prevalence: Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States.
- Inactivity can be both a cause and a consequence of mental illness.
- Depression increases the risk for many chronic physical health conditions (heart disease, diabetes).
- Having a chronic physical condition increases the risk for mental illness.
- People's mental health changes over time and often depends on the individual's circumstances.
- When the demands placed on a person exceed their resources and coping abilities, their mental health is impacted.
- High stress situations (working long hours, caring for a relative, economic hardship) often lead to poor mental health.
Prevalence: Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States.
- More than 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness (anxiety, depression).
- More than 1 in 5 youth (ages 13-18) have had a seriously debilitating mental illness.
- About 1 in 25 adults live with a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression.
- Suicide rates for the general population in the U.S. is 14 deaths per 100,000 people per year.
Relationship between Exercise & Mental Illness
Conclusion: People who exercise regularly have better mental health and emotional wellbeing, and lower rates of mental illness.