The Role of Physical Activity on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factors and Mental Health: A Systematic Review

Psychopathology affects around 13% of the world’s population and poses challenges on both the level of the individual and healthcare systems worldwide. Evidence suggests physical activity acts as a modulator of BDNF, a protein associated with neuroplasticity and mental well-being. Exercise has the potential to act as a non-pharmacological intervention to mitigate the severity of mental health disorders and enhance patient quality of life. This review summarizes current research on the effects of various forms of exercise, including aerobic exercise, resistance training, and yoga, on BDNF levels and mental health outcomes, finding exercise, similar to medications, increases BDNF levels inversely related to cortisol levels and anxiety and depression scores. Despite the promising evidence linking physical activity to improvements in mental health through BDNF modulation, further longitudinal studies and the development of direct measurement tools for brain BDNF to get a more well-rounded understanding of the mechanisms behind exercise-induced benefits on mental health.