Aerobic exercise has proven advantages for managing depression. Yet for individuals with chronic illnesses, who’re highly liable to depression, the illness itself often makes it difficult to exercise. An analysis of the study, published online October 29, 2025, by British Journal of Sports Medicinesuggests that individuals with chronic illnesses might have relatively little weekly exercise to cut back depression.
Researchers reviewed 36 trials that examined the consequences of aerobic exercise on depression in adults with chronic disease. They found that symptoms improved significantly with lower than 90 minutes of moderate activity over the course of every week.
The scientists measured exercise intensity using metabolic equivalents (METs), which is a measure of energy expenditure. They then multiplied the MET intensity by the minutes of exercise throughout the week to give you the participants’ weekly total of “MET minutes.” Just 405 MET minutes per week was enough to make what patients perceived to be a major difference of their depressive symptoms. This is akin to brisk walking for 27 minutes thrice every week (moderate activity, at 5 METs), or jogging for 29 minutes twice every week (vigorously, at 7 METs).
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