[The significance of regular physical exercise for health and well-being]

Abstract

The health behaviour prevailing in our western world (lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, overweight, coping with stress) can be considered a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases as well as for mental disorders (especially with depressive symptoms), which both are among the most frequent and most expensive diseases. Depressive disorders and metabolic syndromes exhibit some pathophysiological similarities and are mutually interrelated - a fact that induces multiple effects of corresponding prophylactic and therapeutic interventions: Regular physical activity in terms of aerobic dynamic endurance whose neurobiological effects will be communicated in this paper has the potential of reducing depression and stress, of increasing stress tolerance, of improving cardiovascular health, and, eventually, of protecting against the risks of dementia. In times of scarce financial resources the lack of emphasis on physical exercise as an important and inexpensive preventive measure is really surprising.