1hr exercise can beat depression

Activity a boost in 12% of cases

AS little as one hour of exercise a week can prevent depression, a groundbreaking study reveals.

Physical activity was shown to offer mental health benefits even in small amounts – regardless of age or gender.

The international research team said 12% of cases of depression could have been prevented if the sufferer exercised.

And they calculated that people who were not active were 44% more likely to suffer with the mental illness.

The Black Dog Institute examined 33,908 adults over 11 years to make the findings. Lead author Professor Samuel Harvey said: “This is the first time we have been able to quantify the preventative potential of physical activity in terms of reducing depression.

“These results highlight the great potential to integrate exercise into individual mental health plans and broader public health campaigns.”

But the research, based on a survey run in Norway from 1984 to 1997, found exercise did not help with anxiety.

Stressed people are less likely to recognise threats, such as an oncoming car, as they pay less attention to their surroundings, a study found.