PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN DEPRESSION MANAGEMENT: MECHANISMS, CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS, AND EXERCISE PRESCRIPTION - A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Katarzyna Zegadło; Katarzyna Jolanta Kuc; Maciej Dobrucki; Krzysztof Brzezicki; Patryk Jakubiak; Aleksandra Cieciora; Mateusz Cieciora; Małgorzata Kawiorska; Julia Surowiec; Wiktoria Ruta Bełcikowska-Skowron

doi:10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.5944

Authors

Katarzyna Zegadło Military Institute of Medicine - National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8489-2058
Katarzyna Jolanta Kuc Dr. Tytus Chałubiński Radom Specialist Hospital: ul. Lekarska 4, 26-610 Radom, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9585-4377
Maciej Dobrucki Dr. Tytus Chałubiński Radom Specialist Hospital: ul. Lekarska 4, 26-610 Radom, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0124-1853
Krzysztof Brzezicki Dr. Ludwik Rydygier Provincial Hospital, Szpitalna 60, 16-400 Suwałki: Suwałki, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4315-0644
Patryk Jakubiak Dr. Tytus Chałubiński Radom Specialist Hospital: ul. Lekarska 4, 26-610 Radom, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9138-7213
Aleksandra Cieciora University of Technology and Humanities in Radom: ul. Chrobrego 27, 26-600 Radom, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7999-4047
Mateusz Cieciora University of Technology and Humanities in Radom: ul. Chrobrego 27, 26-600 Radom, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0711-9377
Małgorzata Kawiorska University of Technology and Humanities in Radom: ul. Chrobrego 27, 26-600 Radom, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3184-7659
Julia Surowiec University of Technology and Humanities in Radom: ul. Chrobrego 27, 26-600 Radom, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3356-8261
Wiktoria Ruta Bełcikowska-Skowron Dr. Tytus Chałubiński Radom Specialist Hospital: ul. Lekarska 4, 26-610 Radom, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1789-1845

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.5944

Keywords:

Physical Activity; Depression; Exercise; Antidepressant Effects; Exercise Prescription; BDNF

Abstract

Background: Depression is one of the top contributors to global disability and represents an important public health challenge. Studies show an increasing body of evidence that physical activity might be instrumental in both the prevention of and intervention with depressive disorders.

Purpose of the investigation: This narrative review intends to summarize and synthesize current evidence pertaining to the antidepressant effects of physical activity, considering suggested mechanisms, clinical results, and prescription advice of exercise.

Material and methodology: The review was compiled after conducting a systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library for peer-reviewed publications, stressing high-impact findings published between 2024–2026. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses and well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with large prospective cohorts were prioritized.

Results: The evidence base suggests that there is significant evidence that exercise is associated with decreases in depressive symptoms in varied populations. The proposed mechanisms are changes in monoaminergic neurotransmission, elevation of BDNF, normalization of HPA-axis function, and anti-inflammatory effects. Data support the dose-response relationship, with even small increases in activity positively correlated with mental health improvement.

Conclusions: The interventions provided by exercise are beneficial, reasonable and cheap, which is relevant to the prevention and treatment of depression. Studies should focus more on developing specific combinations of exercise recommendations and specific exercise regimens tailored for each patient cohort.

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