Research shows that exercise is as effective at preventing or relieving depression as other commonly used treatments.

One in eight Canadians has experienced a mood disorder at some point in their lives, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. These conditions, which include depression, are often treated with medication or counselling. But a growing body of evidence is showing the solution could be much simpler.

“The evidence suggests that if people are physically active they are less likely to experience depression at a later point in time, and also evidence to suggest that exercise can be used to treat depression, and the effect of exercise is comparable to common forms of treatment such as medication and therapy,” said Dr. Guy Faulkner, professor of Kinesiology at the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Faulker presented the evidence at the Alberta Centre for Active Living's annual physical activity forum on Tuesday. He said that at least five randomized, controlled trials demonstrate the effects of exercise as being comparable to medication. Like with other therapies, researchers don’t know exactly how exercise has this effect.

“I think there is something about the process of being physically active, about learning new skills, about being in control over your schedule and your body, interacting with others, so I don’t think there is any one mechanism, but rather, there are different mechanisms operating for different people at different times.”

Dr. Faulker says physical activities should be prescribed and made accessible to those seeking help for depression. So how much is enough to achieve the desired result?

“An ideal dose seems to be three times a week, 20 minutes of moderate physical activity, so that is activity that makes you breathe harder, like going for a brisk walk as if you are late for a meeting, that’s the kind of intensity, and if you do that for nine weeks, then the evidence suggests that there is a reliable antidepressant effect.”

In Alberta, some doctors are already writing prescriptions for exercise. Dr. Faulkner hopes that soon more mental health professionals will be able to write prescriptions for exercise plans with insurance companies picking up the tab.