The Effects of Exercise on Depression in African American and Latino Population

Abstract Background: Several studies have shown the effectiveness of exercise as a potential treatment for major depression disorder, but few have focused specific populations such as Blacks and Hispanics. Due to cultural concerns about anti-depressant medications, using exercise and physical activities can be an attractive approach for treatment of depression in African American and Latino populations. Objectives: To identify the effects of exercise and physical activity on depression among the minority population and to determine whether exercise is an effective type of therapy for this population. Methods: An integrated literature review was conducted. The keywords included “depression, therapeutic exercise, physical activity, effectiveness, Blacks, Latinos” were used to search the literature from 2007 to 2017. Results: Exercise/Physical activity has a negative association with depression in the black and Latino population. Determinate factors include moderate-high intensity, high frequency (≥ 3 days per week), increased duration (≥150-300 minutes per week), and adherence to exercise schedule. Aerobic and strength training exercises are more effective than low intensity exercises such as walking. Conclusion: Exercise is found as an effective therapy for reducing and treating depression in Black and Latino communities. The effectiveness is comparable to that of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. It is also an effective way to deal with cultural beliefs that affect providing care such as stigma, mistrust of health care providers and concerns about medication