In one study publicized in Frontiers in Psychiatry, Swedish researchers determined that regular physical exercise may profoundly lower the risk of anxiety.
The study assessed a long-distance cross-country ski race between the late-1980s, the 1900s, and 2000s. Nearly 400,000 people took part in the study, based on the data.
What researchers uncovered was that the group of participants with a seemingly more active physical lifestyle experienced a nearly 60% lower risk of anxiety disorders, after a 21-year follow-up.
“We used an observational study design to follow 395,369 individuals for up to 21 years to investigate if participation in an ultralong-distance cross-country ski race was associated with a lower risk of developing anxiety,” the findings state.
“Skiers in the race and matched non-skiers from the general population were studied after participation in the race using the Swedish population and patient registries.”
“Our results support the recommendations of engaging in physical activity to decrease the risk of anxiety in both men and women. The impact of physical performance level on the risk of anxiety requires further investigations among women.”
