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Role of Physical Activity on Mental Health and Well-Being

A Review

Bibliographic Data

ID23331177
AuthorsAditya Mahindru (Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, corresponding author), Pradeep Patil, Pradeep M Patil (0000-0003-0775-8239, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College), Varun Agrawal (0000-0002-7759-2222, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College)
Year2023
Volume15
Issue1
Pagese33475-e33475
Publication date2023-01-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCureus (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2168-8184
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.7759/cureus.33475
PMID36756008
OpenAlexW4313656140
LanguageEN
Citations received87
References cited35

In addition to the apparent physical health benefits, physical activity also affects mental health positively. Physically inactive individuals have been reported to have higher rates of morbidity and healthcare expenditures. Commonly, exercise therapy is recommended to combat these challenges and preserve mental wellness. According to empirical investigations, physical activity is positively associated with certain mental health traits. In nonclinical investigations, the most significant effects of physical exercise have been on self-concept and body image. An attempt to review the current understanding of the physiological and psychological mechanisms by which exercise improves mental health is presented in this review article. Regular physical activity improves the functioning of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. Depression and anxiety appear to be influenced by physical exercise, but to a smaller extent in the population than in clinical patients. Numerous hypotheses attempt to explain the connection between physical fitness and mental wellness. Physical activity was shown to help with sleep and improve various psychiatric disorders. Exercise in general is associated with a better mood and improved quality of life. Physical exercise and yoga may help in the management of cravings for substances, especially in people who may not have access to other forms of therapy. Evidence suggests that increased physical activity can help attenuate some psychotic symptoms and treat medical comorbidities that accompany psychotic disorders. The dearth of literature in the Indian context also indicated that more research was needed to evaluate and implement interventions for physical activity tailored to the Indian context.

Anxiety · Context (archaeology) · Depression (economics) · Mental health · Mood · Physical exercise · Physical fitness · Physical therapy · Population · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Quality of life (healthcare) · Clinical Psychology · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Medicine · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

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Unique citing works87
Citations per year29
Citation span2023 - 2026 (4)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 65
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