Depression, motivation, physical activity. First attempts to explain the connection
When studying issues of motivation, productivity and personal effectiveness, you often come across links between productive life and physical activity. At the same time, there are clear links between a sedentary lifestyle and depression. And now scientists have proposed a hypothesis that does not simply point to links, but tries to explain the mechanics of how depression and physical activity affect motivation.
People suffering from depression may experience apathy, lack of enthusiasm, and anhedonia, the inability to derive joy or pleasure from activities they would normally find enjoyable. Both factors are correlated with dopamine declinewhich negatively affects people’s well-being, their family life, work and social activities.
Reasons Linking Depression and Physical Activity
It is known that physical activityespecially aerobic exercise, can reduce or even prevent symptoms of depression, but how exactly this happens remains unclear. Researchers from University College London (UCL) conducted a meta-analysis with samples of people and animals. It examined the mechanisms underlying the development of depression and the mechanisms triggered by exercise. As a result, a new hypothesis was born about the antidepressant effect of exercise.
The complex effect of dopamine
The antidepressant effect of aerobic exercise has been convincingly demonstrated in randomized controlled trials, but the mechanism is not fully understood. This is partly because aerobic exercise involves a number of biological and psychological processes.
Dr Emily Hird, from the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL, is the lead author and corresponding author of the study.
Previous research has suggested that anhedonia is linked to a disruption in the reward circuits of the brain. These circuits are activated whenever we are rewarded for something: a tasty meal after work, sex in the context of a burgeoning relationship, or loot from a downtrodden boss. When exposed to a rewarding stimulus, the brain responds by releasing more dopaminewhich provides a feeling of pleasure and motivation to do something again because it feels good.
Disruption of these connections in people with depression means they are less willing – less motivated – to make an effort to obtain a reward.
Depression, mobility and inflammation
Meta-analysis has shown that depression, especially anhedonia, is linked to inflammation. The inflammatory process, which affects a wide range of conditions in the body, also disrupts dopamine activity. Research has shown that suppressing the body's inflammatory chemicals reduces symptoms of depression and anhedonia. However, if you think that jogging reduces anger levels – stop!
In summary, the data suggest that inflammatory processes impair dopamine transmission, which reduces motivation in response to mental and/or physical effort required to achieve results, leading to anhedonia and fatigue. On the other hand, the researchers found compelling evidence that physical activity reduces inflammation and improves dopamine function, reward motivation, and effort specificity.
In addition to its positive effects on inflammation, dopamine, and reward processing, exercise also reduces oxidative stress and increases self-esteem and self-efficacy. However, we hypothesize that exercise—especially aerobic exercise that makes you sweat and get out of breath—reduces inflammation and increases dopamine transmission, which in turn increases the desire to exert effort and therefore increases motivation overall.
Dr Emily Hird, from the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL, is the lead author and corresponding author of the study.
The researchers hope their hypothesis will help develop new strategies for treating depression, such as personalized antidepressant exercise programs.
How can exercise be linked to depression relief?
Understanding the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effect of physical activity in depression may also help us understand the mechanisms that cause depression and develop new intervention strategies, particularly personalized intervention and social modification.
Dr Emily Hird, from the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL, is the lead author and corresponding author of the study.
Further research is needed using large randomised controlled trials to assess the effects of exercise on depression and measure its impact on variables such as inflammation, dopamine transmission and motivation. A trial of 250 people aged 18 to 60 is currently underway to this end.
Removing barriers to exercise, particularly for people with depression, is critical. Regular physical activity can ease symptoms, improve mood, and set people on the path to recovery. Finding strategies to encourage active lifestyles will be key to this.
Dr Emily Hird, from the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL, is the lead author and corresponding author of the study.
What do you think about this, friends? Have you noticed the effect when doing sports improves your mood? Do you use such a practice in your life? What are the results?
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