The effects of physical exercise, both on physical and mental health, are well known. A large amount of research has shown how the regular practice of physical activity produces an increase in self-confidence, a sense of well-being and an improvement in cognitive functioning. Organically, increased blood flow raises oxygen levels in the body, which helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, and heart attack. Regular exercise can also lower blood pressure and triglyceride levels.
Therefore, the practice of physical activity is recommended in all population groups, but especially those who suffer from physical and mental illnesses. This group of vulnerable people includes those with psychiatric disorders, inmates, cancer patients, drug users, among others who, due to their condition, tend to practice less exercise and not maintain a sports routine. They are also a group at higher risk of suicidal ideation and, ultimately, of attempting to take their own life.
A meta-analysis by researchers at the University of Ottawa School of Medicine (United States) has linked these variables and found that these vulnerable people are able to successfully follow an exercise regimen, which translates into a decrease in suicide attempts. The scientists evaluated 17 randomized controlled trials with more than 1,000 participants to derive their findings, which are published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
The results call into question the misconception that patients with mental or physical illnesses are not motivated to participate in a regimen of physical exercise, which is similar in efficacy to antidepressants and cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of depression. However, its effect on suicidal behavior was unclear.
“This misconception has led Primary Care physicians to prescribe little exercise, with the consequent deterioration of patients’ mental and physical health,” says psychiatry resident and lead author of the study, Nicholas Fabiano, who also ensures that the conclusions of this study “disprove” this belief since, “exercise was well tolerated in those with mental or physical illness.” Therefore, “physicians should not be apprehensive about prescribing exercise for these patients.”
Although exercise training did significantly reduce suicide attempts, the meta-analysis found no significant reduction in suicidal ideation or mortality between the exercise and control groups.
Suicide in Spain
According to the report “The situation of mental health in Spain”, prepared by the Confederation of Mental Health Spain and Fundación Mutua Madrileña and presented this week, 14.5% of the Spanish population has had suicidal ideas or has attempted suicide. This occurs to a greater extent among women (17%) than among men (11.7%). The same happens in the case of those who have come to harm themselves: 6.4% of men compared to 11.3% of women.
However, 75% of all completed suicides are in men, despite the fact that women have more suicidal attempts and ideation. By age, suicidal ideas or attempts (31.8%) and self-harm (30.7%) occur to a greater degree in the group of young people between 18 and 24 years of age.
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