| 426 | Thursday, April 27, 2006 |
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| 12:30 PM-1:30 PM | Convention Center:253 |
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| Alliance Scholar Lecture: Physical Inactivity, Dementia, Anxiety, and Depression: An Evolutionary Perspective |
| Experimental evidence shows that physical activity enhances cognitive functioning and positive mood, and reduces anxiety and depression scores. There are psychological and biological explanations for these relationships, but recent evidence also suggests an evolutionary-genetic link. Total physical activity has declined in the past 50 years, while spending on CNS and antidepressant drugs has increased dramatically. This presentation extends Chakrarthy and Booth’s (2004) evolutionary argument to mental health by showing that physical inactivity is related to dementia/Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety disorders, and depression. Research showing that genes important for cognitive functioning and emotional stability are only activated by physical activity supports this explanation. |
Keyword(s): disease prevention, physical activity, research
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| Speaker: Daniel M. Landers, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ |