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Mental health benefits of physical activity

Background: Public health discussions of physical activity have tended to focus on physical health benefits rather than mental health benefits. Aim: This article provides a commentary on the potential benefits of physical activity on mental health. Method: This article reviews the documented association between mental disorders and lack of regular physical activity. Results and conclusion: While highlighting the need to build a much stronger evidence basis, the article summarizes key literature that describes physical activity as an intervention that may be helpful for the promotion of mental health and wellbeing, the prevention and treatment of common mental disorders, and as a strategy in psychosocial rehabilitation for persons with severe mental disorders. The article discusses various interventions and settings for promoting physical activity and highlights that mental health professionals are an underused resource for the promotion of physical activity. Declaration of interest: None.