THE ROLE OF EXERCISE IN THE TREATMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDERS

Several studies in healthy volunteers have shown a positive effect of endurance training on anxiety, depressive symptoms, self-esteem, conce ntration and stress tolerance. There are only a few controlled studies examining the therapeutic potential of exercise in psychiatric disord ers. However, there is good evidence that exercise is effective in mil d to moderate depression and in anxiety disorders. The therapeutic eff ect did not correlate with changes in cardiopulmonary fitness in the m ajority of studies. Therefore, other neurobiological and psychological mechanisms are discussed which might explain the effectiveness of reg ular physical training. The authors offer a variety of suggestions, ho w exercise could be integrated and evaluated in the treatment of psych iatric disorders.