Fact check: sport is at least as effective against depression as therapy or medication – Knack

This fact check was made based on the information available at the date of publication. Read here more about how we work.

On the website of the Margaret we read one article about the beneficial effects of sport on depression. “A large study in Australia, which compared more than 97 studies, shows that exercise is 1.5 times more effective against depression compared to the usual treatment method of therapy and medication,” he said.

It is systematic review – article from 2023 comparing the results of 97 previous review articles. Conclusion: Physical activity is very helpful in improving symptoms of depression and anxiety. On average, sport would reduce depressive symptoms with an effect size of -0.43, with medication and psychotherapy having an effect size between -0.22 and -0.37. The more intense the exercise, the greater the effect.

According to exercise psychology professor Wim Derave (UGent), there are several studies that show the positive effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety. “It is difficult to know whether that effect is just one and a half times greater than with traditional treatment methods, because there are big differences between various sports, treatments and medications. But if you wanted an exercise program to be registered with a drug group as an antidepressant, it would meet the criteria.

“So it’s at least as effective. It is very difficult to explain this directly, because our brains are very complex. But exercise has always been essential for homo sapiens. All our organs – including the brain – have been used to an active body for centuries. If that movement disappears, they will be more effective. More and more studies also show this at a biochemical level: during exercise, all kinds of substances are released in the muscles that transmit signals to other parts of the body, including the brain Some substances also have antidepressant effects, although a lot of research is still needed to clarify this directly.’

Professor Nathalie Vanderbruggen, a psychologist at UZ in Brussels, agrees. “The meta-review mentioned is certainly strong. It is difficult for me to prove whether sport is one and a half times more effective than psychotherapy or medication. On average the differences don’t seem that big to me. But we have long known that exercise, like other lifestyle factors such as quality sleep and a healthy diet, plays a vital role in preventing and treating depression.

“In any case, the Flemish government supports “exercise by referral”: doctors can prescribe professional, paid exercise plans. That is happening more and more often. However, this is a story: psychotherapy and antidepressants are certainly still useful in many cases, but sports can be a good addition. An important note is that this is very difficult to achieve in patients with severe depression: they can barely move from the bed to the sofa due to lack of energy, so exercise is not the best often an option for them.’