Promoting mental health through physical activity: examples from practice
| Pages | 39-47 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/17465729200400006 |
| Date | 01 March 2004 |
| Published date | 01 March 2004 |
| Author | Martin Jones,Carol O'Beney |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care |
journal of mental health promotion •volume 3•issue 1 •march 2004 © Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) Ltd
Promoting mental health through physical
activity: examples from practice
ABSTRACT
The physical health benefits of exercise are well established but there is also growing research evidence of links between physical activity
and mental health benefits, including mood elevation, better cognitive functioning and improved self-perception, self-esteem and self-
efficacy. Physical activity has also been shown to enhance the effectiveness of psychological therapies and to have a role in improving
quality of life and symptom management for people with a wide range of mental health problems. Physical activity has a double benefit,
since people with mental health problems are also at increased risk of a range of physical health problems, including cardiovascular disease,
endocrine disorders and obesity. However referral to a physical activity specialist is rarely available in psychiatric settings. This paper gives
two examples of how provision of physical activity facilities and programmes staffed by qualified specialists can contribute towards
improving mental health and quality of life for people with mental health problems.
Martin Jones
Senior physiotherapist
Harplands Hospital, North Staffordshire
Combined Healthcare NHS Trust
Carol O’Beney
Health and fitness advisor
Physical activities service,
Springfield Hospital, London
Practice
The Department of Health (1996) emphasises that
physical activity is an important health-related
behaviour. Subsequently there has been a plethora of
information and research indicating that exercise has
health-related benefits. The case for exercise and health
has largely been made on grounds that it has an impact
on coronary heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
However in recent years there has also been an increased
interest in research into the role of exercise in both the
treatment and promotion of mental health.
Physical activity appears to relieve symptoms of
depression and anxiety and improve mood. Regular
physical activity may also reduce the risk of developing
depression. Reviews of the literature have indicated the
potential benefits of exercise as a treatment for clinical
or sub-clinical depression or anxiety, and of physical
activity as a means of improving quality of life through
enhanced self-esteem, improved mood states, reduced
state and trait anxiety, resilience to stress and improved
sleep (Fox, 1999). Although data on levels and type of
physical activity among mental health inpatients are
limited (see Brown et al, 1999), exercise may help
alleviate some of the negative symptoms of
schizophrenia, may be an effective coping strategy for
symptoms such as hallucinations and may also help to
improve quality of life for people with mental health
problems (Faulkner & Biddle, 1999). Given the
prevalence of mental health problems (they are expected
to account for 15% of all chronic diseases by 2020: a
larger proportionate increase than that for cardiovascular
diseases (Murray & Lopez, 1996)), the potential of
physical activity as a preventive intervention is also
attracting increasing interest. Approximately 25% of
the population per year needs medical help for mental
health problems and the NHS and social services spend
almost £4 billion a year on the treatment of mental
health problems (DoH, 2001). Including physical
activity in prevention and treatment regimes for both
physical and mental health problems therefore has
considerable potential for reducing health costs.
The research base on physical activity and mental
health is relatively recent in comparison with the
volume produced on the effects of activity on physical
health and disease. Significantly, only a passing
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