Regular exercise could help stave off depression in older men: study

Regular exercise could help to stave off depression in older men, according to new research published by Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism.

Exercise has long been mooted as a potential treatment for older people who are suffering from bouts of the black dog, with research showing that physical activity helps to increase tryptophan levels, which in turn is often paralleled by an increase in serotonin activity.

Serotonin serves as a neurotransmitter, which is thought to lead to elevated mood, however one main cause of depression in older people is the brain’s decreasing ability to transmit serotonin. Therefore bursts of exercise can prove effective to help boost how people are feeling in the short term.

Little research has been done to explore what regular exercise can do for people’s long-term dispositions. One potential pitfall could be that becoming accustomed to exercise might decrease the impact of the short-term high people get from exercise.

However, this latest study has proven that regular exercise could help to sustain good moods and keep older men from falling into depressive states, according to the findings.

As part of the study, experts gathered sixteen men with an average age of 64 and asked them to do a one-hour workout at a moderate intensity level. Results showed that, as per past research, their tryptophan levels increased.

To prove that the men had not become immune to the boosts they were receiving from the exercise, the researchers sent them away for sixteen weeks and asked them to become regular aerobic exercisers.

They then returned to take part in the same one-hour exercise routine, where researchers discovered that the men still received an increase in tryptophan.

Growing amounts of research are adding weight to the idea that exercise can be used to prevent and treat a number of troublesome diseases and disorders, ranging from certain cancers through to mental illness.

One study has found that exercise could help to prevent the development of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, while another discovered that physical activity may improve the cognitive function of the brain for people who suffer from obesity.

Related stories
19 Aug 2014

Routine exercise could help prevent development of breast cancer in post-menopausal women: study

18 Aug 2014

Interval training could be more beneficial for sufferers of type 2 diabetes, says new study

18 Aug 2014

More gain, less pain: Exercise could help to increase pain tolerance, says new study

28 Jul 2014

Could high intensity workouts be the answer to ageing population issues?

15 Jul 2014

Exercise should be prescribed to improve health of older women, says new study

16 Jun 2014

Most breast cancer patients not getting enough exercise: study

Regular exercise could help to stave off depression in older men, according to new research published by Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. Exercise has long been mooted as a potential treatment for older people who are suffering from bouts of the black dog, with research showing that physical activity helps to increase tryptophan levels, which in turn is often paralleled by an increase in serotonin activity. Serotonin serves as a
HAF,RES
The study showed that the men still received a boost after long-term exercise / Shutterstock.com/Ruslan Guzov
More news
News stories: 1 - 30 of 8064     
 
 
 
News stories: 1 - 30 of 8064     
 
 
 
company profile
Company profile: Gharieni Group
At the heart of the group is Gharieni – its legacy brand, globally renowned for exceptional quality, engineering, and intuitively ergonomic design for both guest and practitioner. Made in Germany, every detail is meticulously refined to deliver exceptional comfort, ease of use, and understated luxury.
Try cladmag for free!
Sign up with CLAD to receive our regular ezine, instant news alerts, free digital subscriptions to CLADweek, CLADmag and CLADbook and to request a free sample of the next issue of CLADmag.
sign up
Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
To advertise in our catalogue gallery: call +44(0)1462 431385
Interview: Alfred Waugh
"In Indigenous culture, it’s more important to understand where you come from than what you do for a living"

The Vancouver Art Gallery architect tells us about his mission to bring together Western knowledge and Indigenous ways of knowing

cladkit product news
Effe introduces sauna and hammam collection Baluar by Patricia Urquiola
The system uses heat-treated lime wood cladding, available in either a dark or light tone
Helen Andrews
Sauna specialist Effe (formerly Effegibi) has introduced its new sauna and hammam collection, Baluar, designed by architect and designer Patricia ...
New Balera collection embeds lighting in 
tiled feature walls
Studiotamat has teamed up with Ariana de Luca to create the Balera range
Magali Robathan
The new Balera Collection sees design studio Studiotamat team up with ceramic artist Arianna De Luca and lighting designer Ninefifty ...
Lucas Zito aims to show 3D printed lamps can be timeless design objects
Lucas Zito’s practice specialises in the design of lights through 3D printing
Magali Robathan
A collection of lighting from Paris-based designer Lucas Zito aims to reframe the idea of 3D printed objects as cheap ...
cladkit product news
Snow’s holistic cool-down: Embracing inclusivity in post-sauna rituals
Megan Whitby
In the world of wellness, the age-old tradition of sauna bathing is synonymous with relaxation, detoxification and rejuvenation. But, a ...
OpenSeed launches private multisensory Iris Meditation Pod
The Iris Pod features vibro-acoustic technology, aromatherapy, light therapy, music, guided meditations and soundscapes
Helen Andrews
OpenSeed has launched its multisensory Iris Meditation Pod, designed in collaboration with Fuseproject – a design and innovation company founded ...
LivinGlobe introduces redesigned adaptable Vidarium
LivinGlobe can install ultra short throw projections or premium LED panels, as well as the surround sound system and video server
Helen Andrews
Founded more than 10 years ago, LivinGlobe was one of the first companies in the immersive wellness space with its ...
cladkit product news
TouchWood Play designs new kids’ club for Dubai’s Zuhha Island
The new club aims to connect children with nature
Magali Robathan
Bespoke play environment design and manufacturer TouchWood Play has announced that it is responsible for the creation of a new Kids’ ...
Heatherwick Studio and lighting brand Tala collaborate to create sleep light called Wake
Wake is crafted from hand-spun ceramic and pressed glass, behind which a gentle light emanates to improve sleep routines and wellbeing
Helen Andrews
Design firm Heatherwick Studio and British lighting brand Tala have teamed up to create a sleep light called Wake. The ...
Porada launch retro-inspired coffee table
Porada's new Enook Brillo coffee table
Magali Robathan
Maurizio Marconato and Terry Zappa have created the Enook Brillo coffee table for Italian design studio Porada – a retro-inspired design ...
x
Sign up with CLAD for regular news updates