Physical activity and depressive symptoms: is a healthy body necessary for a healthy mind?

Nikolaos Stavrakakis

    Research output: ThesisThesis fully internal (DIV)

    3299 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Physical activity might help to alleviate depressive symptoms, and has been proposed as a possible treatment for depression. This thesis examined the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms in adolescents and adults.
    In sum, studies in this thesis showed that low physical activity predicted depressive symptoms and vice versa, that individuals with depressive symptoms became less active. However, the relationships were rather weak. Moreover, we did not observe a protective effect of physical activity regarding the onset of a major depressive episode in early adulthood, nor did we identify genetic or psychosocial factors that might explain the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms. Associations between physical activity and mood in adults demonstrated large individual differences in the nature and direction of these relationships: some individuals benefited from physical activities, while others did not, regardless of whether they were depressed or not. Therefore, the evidence that physical activity can alleviate depressive symptoms is relatively weak, and further research is needed in order to clarify whether physical activity is directly influencing depressive symptomatology in a causal way.
    Translated title of the contributionLichamelijke activiteit en symptomen van depressie: is een gezond lichaam nodig voor een gezonde geest?
    Original languageEnglish
    QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
    Awarding Institution
    • University of Groningen
    Supervisors/Advisors
    • Oldehinkel, Tineke, Supervisor
    • de Jonge, Peter, Supervisor
    • Roest, Annelieke, Co-supervisor
    Award date9-Mar-2015
    Place of Publication[S.l.]
    Publisher
    Print ISBNs978-90-367-7600-4
    Electronic ISBNs978-90-367-7599-1
    Publication statusPublished - 2015

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