Effekter av fysisk aktivitet på psykisk ohälsa hos unga kvinnor

Sammanfattning: Among young adults and especially women, psychological issues are common phenomena in the society such as depression, anxiety and stress. Research has shown that physical activity can be a complement for anti-depressant medication. The aim of this review is to examine previous research to find out how physical activity can provide positive effects on overall mood state in particular young women's psychological health. The results of this review is that there are support in the literature of young women that physical activity may enhance mood in studies of depression and anxiety symptoms and small support for the effects on reducing stress. Physical activity with both high intensity and low intensity has shown to have positive effects on depression and anxiety, but the physical activity has to be regular for long-term effects. The frequency of 2-3 times per week provide effects on mood in studies. In the research area of physiological mechanisms that may reduce depression, anxiety and stress it is not enough research done on young women to provide enough evidence of what the mechanism is behind the effect of the psychological effect of exercise, not in the research done on cortisol, serotonin and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Physical activity should be better explored as a possibility as a treatment and prevention for depression and other psychological health problems with larger test groups and with separate groups for women and men. Also there are lack of studies done that compare different physical activity and intensity, duration and times per week.