Those with depression who exercised received twice the benefits compared to those without depression.
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Many things with your health are tied together.
Physical activity has also been shown to be beneficial for those undergoing treatment for depression.
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Theres also a link between depression and heart disease.
And the relationship is bidirectional, as having heart disease can also increase ones risk for depression.
How Was the Study Conducted?
Researchers used information spanning 10 years.
Physical activity records were also included.
The amygdala is a part of the brain that controls the fight-or-flight response.
This can cause stress and anxiety.
On the other hand, the VPC is one of the decision-making areas of the brain.
What Did the Study Show?
They also found a dose-dependent reduction in amygdala activity linked with physical activity.
In other words, the more someone exercised, the calmer the amygdala tended to be.
In addition to the amygdala being quieter in the people who exercised, the VPC was more active.
Physical activity was inversely associated with these measuresmeaning they tended to be lower in more active people.
Thats not all that was brought down.
Plus, this benefit continued to increase the more exercise they performed.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Heart Disease and Mental Health Disorders.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevent Heart Disease.
