1

Exercise for Mental Health Disorders

The Role of Exercise in Management of Mental Health Disorders

Literature Review
Nicole Herrin
California State University Channel Islands
Senior Capstone Project
HLTH 499
 2
Exercise for Mental Health Disorders

The purpose of my literature review is to analyze the role of physical activity in the management of

mental health disorders. I am especially inspired by this topic because I have experienced firsthand the positive

effects of physical activity on my own mental health and physical quality of life. When we exercise our body

releases chemical endorphins that communicate to receptors in the brain that trigger positive feelings

comparable to narcotic drugs and reduces our perception of pain. Mental health disorders can manifest from

genetics, environmental stressors, traumatic injury, or childhood trauma. Mental health disorders effect many of

the population and can range from mild to severe. A mental disorder is characterized by a significant

disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional response, or behavior (WHO, 22). Sedentary lifestyle and

low amounts of physical activity can contribute to an increase in mental health disorders or worsening of

established mental illness. Physical activity has been an applied therapy to individuals suffering mental health

disorders yielding positive outcomes. The following literature looks at the evidence that exists that physical

activity may hold significant therapeutic value in the treatment of mental health disorders.

I feel that it is important to note that physical activity in general plays a crucial role in individuals living

longer with less risk of developing a chronic disease. According to the CDC, regular physical activity is one of

the most important things people can do to improve their health (CDC, 22). The CDC recommends 150 minutes

of physical activity weekly and “some activity is better than none.” Many of the population lives with

preventable chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease and cancer from undernutrition coupled

with sedentary lifestyle. As previously mentioned, sedentary lifestyle is a contributor to poor mental health and

physical quality of life. Additionally, the annual economic burden of treating preventable chronic health

conditions is also a huge financial problem. The curriculum here at Channel Islands State University in the

Health Science Program provides a comprehensive look at the importance of physical activity from an overall

public health standpoint.

 3
Exercise for Mental Health Disorders

Evidence shows that physical activity holds therapeutic promise in the treatment of mental health

disorders. It is likely that exercise training improves mental health through the synergistic relationship between

neurobiological mechanisms and behavioral learning mechanisms (Smith et al, 2021). Understanding these

relationships may help individualize mental health treatments and explain why physical activity improves

mental health. Physical activity improves neurologic systems responsible for cognitive control, adaptive

learning, and emotions. Neurological changes are grouped into three networks salience network, executive

control network and default mode network (Smith et al, 2021). Individuals with depression and anxiety

demonstrate reduced connections between these networks in their brain. However, following physical activity

studies have shown increased volume in these networks which positively influences their mental health. White

matter changes in the brain have also been reported. A major characteristic of depression is loss of interest in

doing things and difficulty sustaining attention particularly towards goals. Exercise regimens encourage setting

specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely goals or SMART goals which creates behavior changes.

As we achieve these small goals, we gain confidence and improved body image that contributes to self-efficacy.

Although individual responses will vary depending on baseline condition and the ability to sustain physical

activity long-term.

The data suggests that physical activity boosts mental health and has a protective role in development of

mental health disorders. A recent meta-analysis of 49 studies across nearly 267,000 individuals demonstrated

that higher levels of physical activity are associated with reduced odds of them developing depression. Also,

physical activity lowered the odds of them developing anxiety symptoms. Participants were matched across

numerous backgrounds and demographic factors those individuals reported better mental health than

nonexercisers. While individuals with low levels of physical fitness have a 47% greater risk for developing a

mental health problem (Smith et al, 2021). The CDC collected survey research in 49 states from 2017-2020

with the question “In the past one month have you had physical activity outside of your job?” The respondents

who answered “no” were considered physically inactive resulting in an overall prevalence of 25.3% which is a
 4
Exercise for Mental Health Disorders
contributor to their mental health problems. There is a substantial amount of data reflecting the protective role

of physical activity in the promotion of good mental health.

To conclude, exercise is a fundamental piece of physical and mental wellness. Exercise boosts

positivity improves cognitive function and reduces the risk of preventable chronic diseases. The literature

describes chemical changes in the brain that support the promise that physical activity is indeed beneficial in

treating mental health conditions. Practitioners have implemented SMART goals into psychiatric treatment

plans to build self-efficacy and achievement in patients for long-term mental wellness. Although, there are gaps

in research physical activity alongside traditional pharmaceutical treatments is yielding positive outcomes.
 5
Exercise for Mental Health Disorders
Refrences

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 20). Physical activity. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Retrieved July 16, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/index.html

“Mental Disorders.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization,

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders.

Smith, P. J., & Merwin, R. M. (2021). The role of exercise in management of Mental Health Disorders: An
integrative review. Annual Review of Medicine, 72(1), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-med-
060619-022943
 6
Exercise for Mental Health Disorders