Exercise could be the "magic drug" people with mental health problems are looking for if other conventional cognitive behavioural therapy or antidepressants have not previously worked, American scientists have found.

Jasper Smits, director of Anxiety Research and Treatment Programme at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and Michael Otto, psychology professor at Boston University analysed data from various studies examining the relationship between exercise and depression.

Their findings show that exercising even for just 20 or 30 minutes a day can boost a person's mood and help them in their battle with mental health issues.

Speaking of the benefits of exercise, Mr Smits said: "After just 25 minutes, your mood improves, you are less stressed, you have more energy.

"A bad mood is no longer a barrier to exercise."

Not only can exercise help patients with mental health problems, research conducted by the University of Missouri, Colombia has shown that those who exercise as part of a weight loss programme are more likely to maintain their new weight.

Posted by Sue Wallis ADNFCR-2569-ID-19706423-ADNFCR

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