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Molecular mechanisms of physical exercise on depression in the elderly: a systematic review

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Abstract

Depressive disorders are common among the elderly. Major depressive disorder will be one of the highest healthcare costs in middle and higher income countries by 2030. It is known that physical inactivity leads to negative effects on mental health in the elderly.The purpose of this review was to explore investigate the consequences of physical exercise (aerobic and resistance exercise) on major depressive disorder among elderly, and presenting its potential biological mechanisms. This study was designed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Clinical trials or randomized clinical trials or cohort studies participated of the study design. Ten studies were evaluated and the main outcomes of each were reported. Aerobic and resistance training revealed to be effective in fighting the symptoms of depression. The most common physical exercise protocol adopted to reduce the consequences of major depressive disorder in humans was the prescription of aerobic exercise at moderate-intensity lasting 60 min per session, 3 times per week, for 24 weeks. Physical exercise enhances IGF-I and activates PGC-1α/FNDC5/Irisin pathway. Physical exercise also increases expression of BDNF and its receptor, TrkB, in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex leading to upstream of ERK and inhibiting depressive-like behavior. Physical exercise brings mental health benefits and plays a crucial role in avoiding the development of major depressive disorder.

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful to CAPES.

Funding

RALS received financial support from Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)-Brazil-Finance Code 001.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Education Department, Federal University of the Valleys of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri (UFVJM), Diamantina, MG, Brazil

    Ricardo Augusto Leoni De Sousa & Ricardo Cardoso Cassilhas

  2. Neuroscience and Exercise Study Group (Grupo de Estudos em Neurociência e Exercício–GENE), FVJM, Diamantina, MG, Brazil

    Ricardo Augusto Leoni De Sousa, Isabella Rocha-Dias, Lucas Renan Sena de Oliveira & Ricardo Cardoso Cassilhas

  3. Multicenter Post Graduation Program in Physiological Sciences (PMPGCF), Brazilian Society of Physiology, UFVJM, Diamantina, MG, Brazil

    Ricardo Augusto Leoni De Sousa, Isabella Rocha-Dias, Lucas Renan Sena de Oliveira & Ricardo Cardoso Cassilhas

  4. Post-Graduate Program in Medicine and Health, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

    Alex Cleber Improta-Caria

  5. Physical Education and Sport Department, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, MG, Brazil

    Renato Sobral Monteiro-Junior

  6. Post Graduation Program of Health Sciences, State University of Montes Claros, Montes Claros, MG, Brazil

    Renato Sobral Monteiro-Junior

  7. Post Graduation Program in Health Sciences (PPGCS), UFVJM, Diamantina, MG, Brazil

    Ricardo Cardoso Cassilhas

  8. Laboratório de Treinamento Físico (LETFIS), Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha E Mucuri, Rodovia MGT 367, Km 583, Alto da Jacuba, no 5000, Diamantina, MG, CEP 39100-000, Brazil

    Ricardo Augusto Leoni De Sousa, Isabella Rocha-Dias, Lucas Renan Sena de Oliveira & Ricardo Cardoso Cassilhas

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  1. Ricardo Augusto Leoni De Sousa
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  2. Isabella Rocha-Dias
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Contributions

RALS wrote the manuscript; performed the literature research; analyzed and critically discussed the data; IRD, CODM, LRSO, ACIC, RSMJ performed the literature research, analyzed and critically discussed the data; RCC supervised, analyzed and critically discussed the data. The authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Ricardo Augusto Leoni De Sousa.

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De Sousa, R.A.L., Rocha-Dias, I., de Oliveira, L.R.S. et al. Molecular mechanisms of physical exercise on depression in the elderly: a systematic review. Mol Biol Rep 48, 3853–3862 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-021-06330-z

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