Long-term Benefits of Exercise
Suggested lead: Studies indicate that exercise is not only good for your long-term physical health, but also contributes to better long-term mental health. Tom Britt has more.
Friday, January 12, 2001
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Durham, N.C. -- An earlier study at Duke University
Medical Center showed patients diagnosed with major depression who
were put on an exercise program without medication showed more
improvement than those only given medication and just as well as
those placed in a regimen of medication and exercise. Now, a
six-month follow-up study shows exercise could be the key to
long-term relief from depression. Psychologist James Blumenthal
says those who continued to exercise showed no signs of any return
of symptoms.
"There certainly is the suggestion that people who continue to exercise do better. That if you may be feeling symptoms of depression, getting out and doing something may very well be a very appropriate step that might actually help ward off depression."
Blumenthal says the next step will be to compare patients who take part in an organized exercise program with those who exercise alone at home. He hopes that study will give a better indication of the role played by the social interaction provided by the exercise group. I'm Tom Britt.
Blumenthal says he wants to determine what role is played by the support group in the exercise program.
Cut 2...program...:19. . . (Preview this in a WAV file in 16-bit mono.)