Meaghan Maynard
Meaghan Maynard is a full time Athletic Therapist at MacEwan University, serving the Griffins varsity athletes, students, staff and the Edmonton community. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Rehabilitation Science from McMaster University and her focus is to ensure each client is educated about their specific injury, while the therapist and client work together to achieve rehabilitation goals. Meaghan loves working as an athletic therapist because it gives her the opportunity to support clients from initial injury to returning to work and play.
It is well documented that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a toll not only on the physical health of the population, but also a widespread toll on individual’s mental health.
The good news is that methods to improve physical health have the added benefit of also improving mental health. One such method is physical activity.
Physical activity is defined as any bodily movement produced by the contraction of skeletal muscles. It is an umbrella term that includes categories such as sports, leisure activities, dance, and physical exercise. Physical exercise is every planned, structured, repetitive, and purposeful intervention.
Physiological benefits of physical activity
Some of the well-known physiological benefits of physical activity include reducing the risk of developing diabetes, hypertension, colon cancer (among other cancers), and heart disease. Helping build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints as well as lowering morbidity and mortality rates are also some physiological benefits of exercise. In fact, a 2015 review of evidence revealed that prescribing exercise in 26 different chronic diseases proved therapeutically effective including:
- Neurological diseases – dementia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis
- Metabolic diseases – adiposity, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome, type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases – hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure, cerebral apoplexy, and intermittent claudication
- Musculoskeletal disorders – osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, back pain, rheumatoid arthritis
- Cancer
Psychological and emotional benefits of physical activity
Physical activity has been shown to enhance an individual’s general positive mood, improve self-esteem and self-concept. Reduction in feelings of depression, anxiety and stress are further benefits of physical activity. Physical activity has also been shown to be therapeutically effective in the psychiatric diseases of depression, anxiety, stress, and schizophrenia.
Physical activity and depression
When it comes to mental health benefits that physical activity provides, the most well-researched is the ability to reduce symptoms of depression. Depression is a common and important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Depression is commonly treated with antidepressants and/or psychological therapy, but some people may prefer alternative approaches such as exercise. There are several possible mechanisms as to why depression can be both prevented and treated with physical activity.
Neuroplasticity
Exercise and physical activity stimulates growth of new nerve cells and release of proteins known to improve health and survival of nerve cells. People with depression have reduced hippocampal volume. Studies have also shown that physical activity has a possible direct effect on the hippocampus, specifically an increase in hippocampal volume.
Inflammation
There are several studies and research papers that suggest, low-grade inflammation may play a role in the pathophysiology of depression. Physical activity and exercise act through several pathways to create an anti-inflammatory environment.
Endorphins
It is hypothesized that the increase in release in endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers) during exercise improves mood and makes people feel better.
Neurotransmitters
Serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline and glutamate imbalances are often noted in the central nervous systems of people suffering from depression. Serotonin is the most commonly treated neurotransmitter imbalance with medication in people with depression. It is thought that exercise can also increase serotonergic and adrenergic levels in the brain, effectively acting in the same way as anti-depressant medication.
Neuroendocrine
Prolonged cortisol exposure may cause neurotoxicity and contribute towards structural brain changes and cognitive deficits associated with depression. Habitual exercise leads to a blunting of the cortisol.
Mastery and positive feedback
Exercise is considered an activity that is part of a healthy lifestyle and engaging in exercises can lead to a positive cycle. The person engaging in the physical activity feels normal and derives a sense of accomplishment or mastery that is felt upon completion of a task. Physical activity can give an individual a sense of greater self-worth or personal control over the environment.
Distraction
The distraction hypothesis suggests that rather than physiological change produced by exercise that the mental ‘time out’ could be responsible for the mood elevating effects of exercise and physical activity. Distracting oneself from negative and worrying thoughts is a technique used by some to help cope with depression.
Physical activity and anxiety
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem globally. Some of the mechanisms as to why physical activity can help prevent and treat anxiety overlap with the mechanisms of depression: distraction, mastery, positive feedback, and control over the external environment.
Self-efficacy
People with anxiety can experience inner turmoil. This inner turmoil can manifest into physical symptoms such as increased breathing rate, increased heart rate and increased sweating. During physical activity, the heart rate increases and perspiration occurs. Experiencing these physiological changes in the context of normal physical activity may give the anxious individual the significant insight that a high pulse and sweating are not dangerous.
Physical activity and stress
Stress is a common occurrence in everyday life, and repeated or traumatic stress can be a factor for illnesses of the central nervous system, as well as other body systems. Stress alone is not a disease, but long‐term stress can lead to illness. Some evidence suggests that regular exercise and being physically fit can reduce stress levels. Individuals with higher fitness levels tend to perceive stress at a lower degree.
Distraction
Some studies suggest that physical activity acts as a form of distraction that diverts an individual’s psychological stress.
Dosage
Here are the current evidence-based guidelines for physical activity for Canadians from The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) – Canadian 24-hour Movement Guidelines:
Children and youth (ages 5 -17)
- Moderate to vigorous physical activity – an accumulation of at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity involving a variety of aerobic activities. Vigorous physical activities, and muscle and bone strengthening activities should each be incorporated at least 3 days per week
- Light physical activity – several hours of a variety of structured and unstructured light physical activities
Adults (ages 18 - 64)
- Moderate to vigorous aerobic physical activity – such that there is an accumulation of at least 150 minutes per week. Muscle strengthening activities using major muscle groups at least twice a week.
- Several hours of light physical activities – including standing
• Adults (ages 65+)
- Performing a variety of types and intensities of physical activity, which includes:
- Moderate to vigorous aerobic physical activities such that there is an accumulation of at least 150 minutes per week
- Muscle strengthening activities using major muscle groups at least twice a week
- Physical activities that challenge balance
- Several hours of light physical activities, including standing
Getting started
No need to dedicate hours out of your busy day to train at the gym, spend money on trendy fitness classes, or run endless kilometers to reap all the physical and mental health benefits of exercise. You can break down the physical activity recommendations into smaller time intervals: for instance, two 15-minute or even three 10-minute exercise sessions.
Even a little bit of activity is better than nothing. It is important to decrease the amount of sedentary time.
If you do not have time for 15 or 30 minutes of continuous exercise, or if your body tells you to take a break after 5 or 10 minutes, try not to get discouraged. Start with 5- or 10-minute sessions and slowly increase your time. The more you exercise, the more energy you will have, and eventually, you feel ready for a little more activity. The key is to commit to some moderate physical activity on most days. This will help develop exercise as a habit. Then, you can slowly add more time or try different types of activities.
Contact an Athletic Therapist for injury prevention advice, functional movement screening, as well as assessments and treatments of nagging injuries to keep you active!