This course has been designed to introduce practitioners to the use of physical activity as a potential treatment intervention for depressive symptoms. We will review research on the use of physical activity as an adjunct and stand-alone intervention and discuss its efficacy for the prevention and treatment of depressive symptoms. We will look at the methodology of existing systemic reviews and meta-analyses to determine what kinds of movement practices may benefit individuals with depression. Finally, using methodology from randomized control trials there-in, we will provide evidence-based recommendations on the dose-response of physical activity for the treatment of depression and potential barriers/limitations.

Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives

• Describe the efficacy of physical activity interventions for the treatment of depressive symptoms. 
• Identify what kinds of exercise are associated with improvements in depressive symptoms.
• Identify dose response (e.g., frequency, intensity) of exercise associated with improvements in depression symptoms. 
• Make recommendations for the inclusion of physical activity for clients with depression symptoms.