According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder is a psychological disorder that is marked by severe mood changes. Individuals with bipolar disorder may experience major depressive episodes alternating with periods of elevated mood and high energy called mania. Experts from the NIMH note that healthy routines, such as a fixed sleep schedule and regular exercise, in addition to medications and psychotherapy, can be critical to the effective management of this illness.
Effects of Exercise in Bipolar Illness
According to one study published by K.R. Fox in the September 1999 "Journal of Public Health Nutrition," numerous scientific studies have shown that consistent exercise can be used to improve mental well-being and provide therapeutic outcomes for anxiety and depression. Aerobic and resistance exercises can enhance mood and overall self-esteem and can also regulate anxiety and agitation that often occur in cases of mania. Controlling mood liability with a consistent and structured plan of physical activity can be an excellent complement to other medical treatments.
Structuring and Scheduling Exercise Plans
The NIMH notes that structure and consistency are critical to the management of bipolar illness, Individuals with bipolar illness are often encouraged to maintain predictable schedules, careful nutritional planning, and consistent use of medications and psychotherapy. According to a 2009 study by M.T. Alsuwaidan and colleagues reported in the journal "Neuromolecular Medicine," use of a structured exercise plan is also advised, and individuals should note that the benefits of exercise are most likely to occur when patients commit to a consistent and physically challenging regime. According to Merck, these types of plans are best designed in consultation with a medical doctor who can, first, assess a patient's cardiovascular health, weight, and overall fitness. This type of medical consultation can help a patient structure an exercise plan to improve or maintain these physical components that often play a role in mood disorders.
Aerobic and Resistance Exercise
A 2001 study by F. Dimeo and colleagues reported in the "British Journal of Sports Medicine" found that 30 minutes of aerobic activity each day over a 10-day period produced clinically significant reduction in depressive symptoms of subjects. This study, in addition to research reports provide by the NIMH, indicate that the structured use of aerobic and resistance exercise can be very useful in the regulation of mood. Patients should carefully plan workouts that have a combination of aerobic exercise such as running, walking, biking, or swimming with resistance training such as free wights or weight machines. MERCK suggests that aerobic workouts should be designed to help the individual to reach his target heart rate for increasing periods of time. Individuals just beginning an exercise plan should begin gradually and increase the intensity and duration over time. Similarly, weight training should be done in sets of eight to 12, starting with low weight and increasing gradually as strength improves.
References
- NIMH: Bipolar Disorder
- ABC News: How can Exercise or Lifestyle Help Bipolar Disorder
- "Journal of Public Health Nutrition"; The Influence of Physical Activity on Mental Health; K.R. Fox; September 1999
- "Neuromolecular Medicine"; Exercise and bipolar disorder: a review of neurobiological mediators.; MT Alsuwaidan, et al.; 2009
- "British Journal of Sports Medicine"; Benefits from aerobic exercise in patients with major depression: a pilot study; F. Dimeo et al; April 2001
