Question 1

What evidence is there to support the assertion that exercise can be useful in the treatment of depression?

Accepted Answer

There is a growing body of evidence to support the assertion that exercise can be useful in the treatment of depression. Numerous studies have shown that regular physical activity can have a positive impact on mood and overall mental well-being.

One study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that exercise was just as effective as antidepressant medication in reducing symptoms of depression. Another study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that people who engaged in regular physical activity were less likely to develop depression over time.

Additionally, exercise has been shown to increase the production of endorphins, which are chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. Physical activity also helps to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is often elevated in people with depression.

Furthermore, exercise can provide a sense of accomplishment and self-esteem, as well as opportunities for social interaction, all of which can be beneficial for individuals struggling with depression.

Overall, the evidence strongly suggests that exercise can be a valuable component of treatment for depression, either on its own or in combination with other therapies such as medication and counseling.

Question 2

What is known from the cross-sectional and prospective studies regarding the association between (lack of) activity and depression?

Accepted Answer

Cross-sectional and prospective studies have consistently shown a strong association between lack of physical activity and depression. Cross-sectional studies, which look at a specific point in time, have found that individuals who are less physically active are more likely to experience symptoms of depression. Prospective studies, which follow individuals over time, have also demonstrated that a lack of physical activity is a risk factor for the development of depression.

Furthermore, research has indicated that increasing physical activity levels can have a positive impact on reducing the risk of depression. This suggests that promoting physical activity and exercise may be an effective strategy for preventing and managing depression.

Overall, the evidence from cross-sectional and prospective studies supports the idea that there is a significant association between (lack of) activity and depression, with physical activity playing a potential role in both the prevention and treatment of depression.

Question 3

If one was to prescribe exercise to an individual suffering from depression, what would the prescription entail (i.e., type, frequency, intensity, duration)?

Accepted Answer

The prescription for exercise for an individual suffering from depression would likely entail a combination of aerobic and strength training exercises. The frequency would ideally be at least 3-5 times per week, with a recommended duration of 30-60 minutes per session. The intensity of the exercise should be moderate to vigorous, depending on the individual's fitness level and capabilities. It's important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity as the individual becomes more comfortable with the exercise routine. Additionally, incorporating activities that the individual enjoys, such as walking, swimming, or dancing, can help improve adherence to the exercise prescription and provide additional mental health benefits. It's also important for the individual to consult with a healthcare professional or certified exercise specialist to tailor the prescription to their specific needs and abilities.

Question 4

Several recent studies examining the effects of exercise on depression have shown that exercise does not alleviate depressive symptoms better than pharmacological (i.e., drug) treatments. As an exercise scientist, how would you use this evidence to convince others that exercise is worth the effort for the depressed individual?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Several recent studies examining the effects of...

Question 5

Among mental disorders, depression can be particularly debilitating. Regarding disability and disease burden, which of the following is true?
A) Major depression ranks in the top three worldwide.
B) In the workplace, depression is not a cause of absenteeism.
C) While problematic, depression does not rank that highly compared to others conditions.
D) Both A and C are true.

Accepted Answer

Major depression is recognized as a leading cause of disability worldwide, ranking in the top three of diseases causing the most years lived with disability (YLDs). This highlights the significant impact depression has on individuals' ability to function and contribute to society, contrasting with the incorrect notions that it does not rank highly or significantly affect workplace attendance.

Question 6

Which of the following is true with respect to the psychological benefits of exercise?
A) Exercise can have beneficial emotional effects, but only for males.
B) Exercise has not been found to be effective in the professional treatment of severe depression.
C) Exercise can be associated with a decreased level of mild to moderate depression.
D) Long-term exercise is usually associated with increases in neuroticism and anxiety.

Accepted Answer

Exercise is associated with a decrease in levels of mild to moderate depression, as it can improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression through various physiological and psychological mechanisms.

Question 7

Which of the following individuals was instrumental in the early research examining fitness levels in depressed patients?
A) Robert Cattell
B) William Morgan
C) Hans Selye
D) James Blumenthal

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following individuals was instrumental...

Question 8

Which of the following types of exercise reliably reduce(s) depression?
A) Resistance training
B) Stretching and flexibility
C) Aerobic exercise
D) Both A and C

Accepted Answer

Both resistance training and aerobic exercise have been shown to reliably reduce symptoms of depression. Resistance training, such as weight lifting, can improve mood by increasing self-esteem and cognitive function, while aerobic exercise, like running or swimming, releases endorphins that can reduce feelings of depression.

Question 9

Reductions in depression are seen in exercise programs lasting how long?
A) 8 weeks or less
B) 16 weeks or more
C) 8 to 16 weeks
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Exercise programs of various durations, including 8 weeks or less, 8 to 16 weeks, and 16 weeks or more, have all been shown to reduce symptoms of depression. The effectiveness of exercise in reducing depression does not strictly depend on the length of the program, as benefits can be observed across different time frames.

Question 10

-From the figure depicted above, which of the following could be surmised?
A) The person feels better on days when he or she exercises.
B) On days when the person feels better, he or she is more likely to exercise.
C) There is no relationship between exercise and mood based on this data.
D) Either A or B could be concluded.

Accepted Answer

The figure (though not visible) likely shows a correlation between exercise and mood improvement. This correlation can be interpreted in two ways: either exercising leads to a better mood (A), or a better mood increases the likelihood of exercising (B). Without a clear cause-and-effect direction, both interpretations are plausible, making D the correct answer.

Question 11

In the exercise-clinical depression study by Blumenthal and colleagues (the SMILE study), which of the treatments worked the best in alleviating depression symptoms (as indicated by the depression rating scales used to assess these symptoms) following the 16-week intervention?
A) Medication group
B) Exercise group
C) Combination group
D) All groups had similar reductions in symptoms

Accepted Answer

The SMILE study found that all groups (medication, exercise, and combination) had similar reductions in depression symptoms, indicating that exercise was as effective as medication in alleviating symptoms.

Question 12

The analysis of the large epidemiological data by Goodwin (2003), which showed that as levels of physical activity increased the likelihood of experiencing depressive disorders decreased, reflected a dose-response relationship.

Accepted Answer

Goodwin's analysis demonstrated a dose-response relationship because it showed that with increasing levels of physical activity, the likelihood of experiencing depressive disorders decreased, indicating that more of the "dose" (physical activity) led to a greater protective effect against depression.

Question 13

There is clear and abundant evidence that exercise alleviates depression through the release of endorphins and their subsequent pain-killing effects.

Accepted Answer

The answer of There is clear and abundant evidence that...

Question 14

In the exercise-clinical depression study by Blumenthal and colleagues (the SMILE study), which of the treatments had the best success when considering the percentage of individuals who had either recovered or at least partially recovered at a 6-month follow-up period?
A) Medication group
B) Exercise group
C) Combination group
D) All groups had similar success rates

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the exercise-clinical depression study by Blumenthal...

Question 15

Of the numerous hypotheses that have been proposed to explain the depression-reducing effects of exercise, which is based on the idea that humans have a genetic predisposition to be physically active?
A) Anthropological hypothesis
B) Mastery hypothesis
C) Monoamine hypothesis
D) Psychobiological hypothesis

Accepted Answer

The Anthropological hypothesis is based on the idea that humans have a genetic predisposition to be physically active, suggesting that our ancestors were naturally active for survival, and thus, physical activity is beneficial for our mental health.

Question 16

Explanations for the depression-reducing effects of exercise include which of the following?
A) Production of endorphins that reduce sensations of pain
B) Development of a sense of mastery and self-control through regular exercise
C) Changes in catecholamine levels known to be associated with depression (e.g., norepinephrine)
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed are explanations for how exercise can reduce depression. Exercise is known to increase the production of endorphins, which not only reduce pain but also enhance feelings of well-being. Regular exercise can also improve self-esteem and a sense of mastery, which counteracts feelings of helplessness often associated with depression. Additionally, exercise influences the levels of certain neurotransmitters, including catecholamines like norepinephrine, which are directly linked to mood regulation.

Question 17

Recall the work of Farmer and colleagues (1988). In their prospective study of exercise and depression in women, what did they find?
A) Sedentary or low active women were twice as likely to develop depression over an eight-year follow-up period as active women.
B) Active women were twice as likely to develop depression over an eight-year follow-up as sedentary women.
C) Baseline level of activity was unrelated to the development of depression over time.
D) Becoming more active over time did not have any influence on depression levels.

Accepted Answer

Farmer and colleagues (1988) found that sedentary or low active women were twice as likely to develop depression over an eight-year follow-up period as active women, highlighting the protective effects of physical activity against depression.

Question 18

What was the nature of the relationship between self-reported physical activity and better mental health across the four large epidemiological samples surveyed by Stephens (1988)?
A) Negative
B) Positive
C) Inverse
D) No relationship was found

Accepted Answer

The relationship between self-reported physical activity and better mental health across the four large epidemiological samples surveyed by Stephens (1988) was positive, indicating that higher levels of physical activity were associated with better mental health outcomes.

Question 19

A study examining the effectiveness of an aerobic exercise intervention (compared to a waiting list control condition) on depressive symptoms in HIV-infected adults was discussed in the text. What was the main outcome of this work?
A) No change in depressive symptoms for either group (exercise or control)
B) Increase in depressive symptoms in exercise group; no change in control
C) Decrease in depressive symptoms in exercise group; no change in control
D) No change in depressive symptoms in exercise group; increase in symptoms in control group

Accepted Answer

Exercise interventions are often associated with a reduction in depressive symptoms, suggesting that the participants in the exercise group experienced a decrease in such symptoms while those in the control group did not show any change.

Question 20

The fact that reductions in depression are seen when individuals exercised in a laboratory environment by themselves argues against which of the following potential explanations for such an effect?
A) Anthropological hypothesis
B) Social interaction hypothesis
C) Endorphin hypothesis
D) Mastery hypothesis

Accepted Answer

The social interaction hypothesis suggests that the reduction in depression from exercise is due to the social interaction that often accompanies such activities. If individuals still experience reductions in depression when exercising alone in a laboratory environment, this argues against the social interaction hypothesis, as the effect is observed without any social interaction.

Quiz 11: Depression and Exercise

What evidence is there to support the assertion that exercise can be useful in the treatment of depression?

What is known from the cross-sectional and prospective studies regarding the association between (lack of) activity and depression?

If one was to prescribe exercise to an individual suffering from depression, what would the prescription entail (i.e., type, frequency, intensity, duration)?

Among mental disorders, depression can be particularly debilitating. Regarding disability and disease burden, which of the following is true?

Which of the following is true with respect to the psychological benefits of exercise?

Which of the following individuals was instrumental in the early research examining fitness levels in depressed patients?

Which of the following types of exercise reliably reduce(s) depression?

Reductions in depression are seen in exercise programs lasting how long?

-From the figure depicted above, which of the following could be surmised?

In the exercise-clinical depression study by Blumenthal and colleagues (the SMILE study) , which of the treatments worked the best in alleviating depression symptoms (as indicated by the depression rating scales used to assess these symptoms) following the 16-week intervention?

The analysis of the large epidemiological data by Goodwin (2003), which showed that as levels of physical activity increased the likelihood of experiencing depressive disorders decreased, reflected a dose-response relationship.

There is clear and abundant evidence that exercise alleviates depression through the release of endorphins and their subsequent pain-killing effects.

In the exercise-clinical depression study by Blumenthal and colleagues (the SMILE study) , which of the treatments had the best success when considering the percentage of individuals who had either recovered or at least partially recovered at a 6-month follow-up period?

Of the numerous hypotheses that have been proposed to explain the depression-reducing effects of exercise, which is based on the idea that humans have a genetic predisposition to be physically active?

Explanations for the depression-reducing effects of exercise include which of the following?

Recall the work of Farmer and colleagues (1988) . In their prospective study of exercise and depression in women, what did they find?

What was the nature of the relationship between self-reported physical activity and better mental health across the four large epidemiological samples surveyed by Stephens (1988) ?

A study examining the effectiveness of an aerobic exercise intervention (compared to a waiting list control condition) on depressive symptoms in HIV-infected adults was discussed in the text. What was the main outcome of this work?

The fact that reductions in depression are seen when individuals exercised in a laboratory environment by themselves argues against which of the following potential explanations for such an effect?