EFFECT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION-REVIEW OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS

Martyna Rynkowska; Przemysław  Szostak; Sylwia Maj; Wiktoria Sikorska; Mikołaj  Poleszczuk; Dominika  Kuźmiuk; Albert Sikorski; Dominika Sidor; Katarzyna Procajło

doi:10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5472

Authors

Martyna Rynkowska 1st Military Clinical Hospital with Polyclinic in Lublin, Racławickie 23, 20-049 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8976-2318
Przemysław Szostak Medical University of Lublin, Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4206-9854
Sylwia Maj Medical University of Lublin, Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7215-147X
Wiktoria Sikorska Medical University of Lublin, Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4552-4635
Mikołaj Poleszczuk Medical University of Lublin, Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7282-615X
Dominika Kuźmiuk Medical University of Lublin, Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5803-5118
Albert Sikorski University Hospital No. 1 Stanisława Staszica 16 St., 20-081 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6814-7286
Dominika Sidor Medical University of Lublin, Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2331-769X
Katarzyna Procajło Medical University of Lublin, Racławickie 1, 20-059 Lublin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8408-2049

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.2(50).2026.5472

Keywords:

Depression, Physical Activity, Strength Training, Aerobic Training, RCT, Non-Pharmacological Treatment

Abstract

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders, and its treatment requires a multidimensional approach. Depression affects people of all ages, but in the elderly it poses a greater diagnostic problem due to the overlap of other concomitant diseases on the clinical picture. Traditional treatments include pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, but there is growing interest in non-drug forms of therapy, including physical activity, as an effective and safe adjunct to depression treatment. Analysis of the results of randomized controlled trials indicates that regular physical activity, including aerobic training, strength training and mixed training, significantly reduces depressive symptoms and improves patients' overall well-being. Mechanisms for this effect include improved blood circulation to the brain, increased neuroplasticity, regulation of neurotransmitters, and positive psychological changes such as increased self-esteem and stress reduction. The results confirm that physical activity is an effective and safe adjunct to traditional treatments for depression, and that its implementation can bring tangible therapeutic benefits.

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