Improving mental health through physical activity: A narrative literature review

Abstract

Regular participation in physical activity, either recreational, or planned, structured, and repetitive is capable of yielding a multitude of health-improving benefits. Traditionally, physical activity has been recognized for its robust modulatory effects on cardiometabolic, neuromusculoskeletal, and immunological health and function. However, a sufficient quantity of emerging studies lends credence to its inclusion to improving mental health, warranting consideration as an adjuvant modality in treating mental illnesses and emotional and behavioral disorders. A series of studies evaluating the impact of physical activity on mental health revealed that achieving physical activity guidelines jointly set forth by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can reduce onset, incidence, and severity of depression as well as mitigating stress and anxiety. The findings of our review lend further support for physical activity as a means to bolster mental health and serve as a powerful resource for working populations.