Mental disorders constitute a huge social and economic burden for healthcare systems

worldwide, raising the question of effective and lasting treatments. Physical activity and exercise

continue to gain the attention of practitioners and researchers with regard to the prevention and

treatment of different psychopathological abnormalities. The article had enlightened the

importance of physical exercise in the reduction of signs and symptoms of certain mental

illnesses. Physical exercises have several benefits, not only taking it for weight loss strategies,

but also for reduction of symptoms of depression and schizophrenia and improvement in

cognitive function (Firth et al., 2015). Regular exercise interventions help to alleviate the

symptoms of mental illness by increasing energy level, improving sleep, lessening worries,

providing social support and increasing self-esteem (Wang et al, 2018). Exercise makes you feel

good because it releases chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that improve your mood.

Additionally, the research showed evidence of an increase in cognition skills and physical health

among schizophrenic patients after exercise interventions (Firth et al., 2015). Both aerobic

exercise (e.g. Brisk walking, cycling or jogging) and resistance or strength training (e.g. Weight-

lifting) have been found to be helpful in treating depression and alleviating metabolic

dysfunction caused by psychotropic medications (Bacchi et al., 2012). In addition, improvement

in the negative symptoms of schizophrenic patients is seen after aerobic exercises (Wang et al,

2018).

I agree the fact that physical fitness has been beneficial for the patient of mental illness in both

reducing obesity as well as enhancing the brain functioning such as memory, cognitive abilities

and psychosocial functioning (Vancampfort et al., 2016). A research conducted on the

Obsessive-compulsive disorder patients demonstrated the symptoms such as anxiety and

negative mood had decreased significantly after the training sessions (Zschucke, Gaudlitz &
Strohle, 2013). Thus, exercise interventions seem to be a promising intervention for improving

physical activity in mental illnesses. Hence, people with mental illness should be motivated to

participate in the exercise to achieve both physical and mental health.

References

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(2012). Metabolic effects of aerobic training and resistance training in type 2 diabetic

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682. doi :10.2337/dc11-1655

Firth, J., Cotter, J., Elliott, R., French, P., & Yung, A. R. (2015). A systematic review and meta-

analysis of exercise interventions in schizophrenia patients. Psychological medicine,

45(7), 1343-1361. doi:10.1017/S0033291714003110

Vancampfort, D., Rosenbaum, S., Schuch, F., Ward, P. B., Richards, J., Mugisha, J., ... &

Stubbs, B. (2017). Cardiorespiratory fitness in severe mental illness: a systematic review

and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 47(2), 343-352. doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0574-1

Wang, P., Lin, H., Su, C., Chen, M., Lin, K., Ko, C., & Yen, C. (2018). Effect of Aerobic

Exercise on Improving Symptoms of Individuals With Schizophrenia: A Single Blinded

Randomized Control Study. Frontiers In Psychiatry, 9. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00167

Zschucke, E., Gaudlitz, K., & Ströhle, A. (2013). Exercise and Physical Activity in Mental

Disorders: Clinical and Experimental Evidence. Journal Of Preventive Medicine &

Public Health, 46(Suppl 1), S12-S21. doi: 10.3961/jpmph.2013.46.s.s12