A new study from McMaster University shows physical activity may help seniors fight depression.

A group of men 65 years and older followed a 12-week exercise plan, which combined stationary bike workouts and strength training exercises. After the 12 weeks, researchers analyzed participants’ blood samples and muscular strength.

The findings were what they expected: the exercise enhanced overall physical wellness. Surprisingly, subjects also displayed a substantial decrease in depression symptoms.

For a population that’s sometimes resistant to treatments like talk therapy, this study suggests exercise-focused treatments could be a beneficial therapy alternative for seniors with depression.

Source:

McMaster University. (2019, February 7). Working it out: Researchers find exercise may help fight depression in seniors. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 21, 2019 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190207111309.htm

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Taylor Bennett

Taylor Bennett

Taylor Bennett is the Content Development Manager at Thriveworks. She devotes herself to distributing important information about mental health and wellbeing, writing mental health news and self-improvement tips daily. Taylor received her bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism, with minors in professional writing and leadership from Virginia Tech. She is a co-author of Leaving Depression Behind: An Interactive, Choose Your Path Book and has published content on Thought Catalog, Odyssey, and The Traveling Parent.

Check out “Leaving Depression Behind: An Interactive, Choose Your Path Book” written by AJ Centore and Taylor Bennett."

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