NIDA Director, Nora D. Volkow, M.D. – March 01, 2011From the minute they arrive at the park, children move constantly. They run, jump, chase, and climb. Wrapped up in their fun, they aren’t thinking about the health-promoting effects of exercise. But NIDA scientists are. Staff scientists are considering the possibility that exercise — including active play, outdoor adventure, team sports, martial arts, and dance — not only boosts energy . ..  

Physical exercise has been proposed as a complementary therapy for individuals with SUD undergoing treatment at different stages of addiction rehabilitation. Preclinical animal research has shown evidence of neurobiological mechanisms induced by physical exercise that support its potential use as a therapeutic strategy to treat drug addiction. Examples are the following: ...

Exercise intervention has long been used as one adjunctive treatment for drug abuse. Both animal studies and human trials suggest that exercise training effectively prevents addiction formation, suppresses drug-seeking behaviors, and ceases addictions. Moreover, exercise improves both mental and cognitive deficits that commonly occur during drug withdrawal. Those observations are supported by ...

Study: An Australian study published in the European Journal of Applied Physiology found that just five minutes of daily eccentric-focused bodyweight exercises (e.g., chair squats, wall push-ups) significantly improved muscle strength, heart health, flexibility, and mental well-being in previously sedentary adults over four weeks.

Exercise improves mental health status of young adults via attenuating inflammation factors but modalities matter

Study: Research published in Frontiers in Psychiatry indicated that MVCT was more effective than HIIT in improving mental health among college students. MVCT notably reduced inflammatory markers associated with depression and stress.

As an athlete, I think regularly about the potential health benefits of exercise for my patients. Every week, I treat patients hospitalized at Brigham and Women’s Hospital with significant medical problems that are a direct result of severe addiction, ranging from seizures and strokes to heart valve and joint infections. I also care for outpatients at the Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital Addiction . . .

Study: A meta-review in Sports Medicine highlighted that regular physical activity, including aerobic and resistance exercises, can reduce cravings, alleviate withdrawal symptoms, and improve mood and cognitive function in individuals undergoing treatment for substance use disorders.

Study: A study published on arXiv examined the effects of Rock Steady Boxing (RSB) on individuals with Parkinson's disease. Participants engaging in biweekly RSB sessions over eight weeks showed significant improvements in depressive symptoms and motor function.

Combined Exercise Programs: Exercise modulates Aβ turnover, inflammation, the synthesis and release of neurotrophins, and cerebral blood flow. Integrating aerobic and resistance training has been shown to enhance cognitive function and slow disease progression in Alzheimer's patients. Journal of Sport & Health Science

Aerobic Exercise and Brain Health: Aerobic exercises at 50–75% of VO₂ max can prevent hippocampal volume reduction and improve spatial memory and learning. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

A 2024 meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Psychology found that physical exercise interventions significantly improved social skills in children with ASD. These results underscore the significance of physical exercise as a viable option for improving social skills in this population.

Resistance Training: Resistance exercises, such as those using weight machines or resistance bands, can improve muscle strength and function, helping to minimize disability risks. PMC

Therapeutic Physical Activities: A meta-analysis indicated that therapeutic physical activities might slow ALS progression and enhance muscle performance in daily activities. Frontiers