Gym reduces risk of depression – Fitness

Chinese scientists have discovered that muscle strength and mass are associated with a decrease in the development of depression, Sports.kz reports with reference to SE.

This is reported in the Journal of Affective Disorders (JAD).

The researchers analyzed data from more than 4,800 people. To assess the severity of depressive disorder, they used a special questionnaire to determine the severity of symptoms. Experts determined muscle mass through X-ray absorptiometry, and strength using a dynamometer that records the maximum force during compression.

The results of the experiment showed that an increase in muscle mass and strength is associated with a decrease in the development of depression. For example, every additional 5 kg of muscle reduced the likelihood of depressive disorders by 5.7 percent. Participants with the heaviest muscle mass were 44.1 percent more likely to be depressed…