Abstract

This article summarizes findings on the relationship between physical activity and various aspects of physical and mental health. Persons who engage in regular physical activity have a lower overall mortality rate as well as a reduced risk of developing coronary heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, breast cancer, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, and obesity. Depression-reducing effects of physical exercise have been found in correlational as well as clinical studies and can be regarded as well confirmed. Regarding anxiety, acute exercise leads to a reduction in state anxiety that lasts for about 1–1.5 h after the exercise is terminated. Finally, evidence from randomized studies suggests that regular physical activity (chronic exercise) improves symptoms in patients suffering from anxiety disorders.