PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DOSE-RESPONSE EFFECTS ON OUTCOMES OF DEPRESSION

Dunn, A. L., Trivedi, M. H. & O?Neal, H. A. (2001). Physical activity dose-response effects on outcomes of depression and anxiety. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 33(6), S587-597.

This study examined the dose-response effects of physical activity on depression and anxiety by reviewing the related literature.

Many studies show consistent findings that physical activity is related to reduced depression and that the results are similar across cultures. This overview research clearly organizes the articles that have been published as well as gives readers some suggestions about the future studies in regard to the dose-response effect of exercise on the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders.

View the complete abstract at http://www.ncpad.org/130/1041/Physical~activity~dose-response~effects~on~outcomes~of~depression~and~anxiety~.

THERAPEUTIC VALUE OF EXERCISE TRAINING IN PARKISON'S DISEASE

Reuter, I., Engelhardt, M., Stecker, K., & Baas, H. (1999). Therapeutic value of exercise training in Parkinson?s disease. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31(11), 1544-1549.

The course of Parkinson's disease (PD) is highly variable, yet three key features emerge: rigidity, tremor, and akinesia. The negative effects of these features have been shown through previous research to be effectively diminished through physiotherapy in persons in more advanced phases of PD, yet research on the effects of exercise on people with slight or moderate PD is limited. Moreover, there is some disagreement within the PD research community as to the benefits of intense exercise for people with PD; while none reported harm caused by physical activity, some studies showed no statistical positive influence of exercise.

This research took place for 14 weeks, with measures taken at baseline, at seven weeks, and at the conclusion. The training program consisted of bi-weekly one-hour sessions of sports activities.

Cognitive function as measured by the Mini Mental Status (MMS) remained constant throughout testing. Scores on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and the Columbia University Rating Scale (CURS) improved. Significant effects were seen on the severity and length of dyskinesias in all but one of the participants that had problems with dyskinesia.

View the complete abstract at http://www.ncpad.org/129/1037/Therapeutic~value~of~exercise~training~in~Parkinson~s~
disease~.