New research continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of exercise in combating depression, which can resurge during post holiday months when people are getting back to routines, UT Southwestern Medical Center psychiatrists say.

People who exercise frequently are significantly less likely to be depressed. Conversely, depressed people tend not to exercise as often or at all.

“Exercise is good for the mind as well as the body,” says UT Southwestern psychiatrist Dr. Madhukar Trivedi, program director for UT Southwestern’s Depression Center, though it is important to talk to your doctor before starting so exercise can be tailored to your health needs.

Dr. Trivedi and his team studied exercise alone in treating mild to moderate depression, and found that depressive symptoms were reduced almost 50 percent in individuals who participated in 30-minute aerobic exercise sessions three to five times a week − similar to that found with antidepressant medications.

Moderately rigorous exercise for 45-50 minutes four to five times a week is essential to capture the anti-depressant effect of exercise, he says. “I often tell patients that they should not be able to talk on the phone while exercising for them to get the appropriate intensity of exercise.”

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Media Contact: Gregg Shields
214-648-3404
gregg.shields@utsouthwestern.edu