title: Exercise therapy improves aerobic capacity of inpatients with major depressive disorder.
abstract: Unipolar depression is one of the most common diseases worldwide and is associated with a higher cardiovascular risk partly due to reduced aerobic capacity.
  
  
  
  Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine whether a structured aerobic training program can improve aerobic capacity in inpatients with MDD (major depressive disorder).
  
  
  
  Overall, 25 patients (13 women, 12 men) diagnosed with MDD were included in the study. Parameters of aerobic capacity, such as maximum performance, maximum oxygen consumption, and VAT (ventilatory anaerobic threshold), were assessed on a bicycle ergometer before and 6 weeks after a training period (three times per week for 45 min on two endurance machines). In addition, a constant load test was carried out at 50% of the maximum performance prior to and after the training period. The performance data were compared with 25 healthy controls matched for sex, age, and body mass index before and after the training period.
  
  
  
  Compared to controls, patients with MDD had significantly lower aerobic capacity. After training, there was a significant improvement in their performance data. A significant difference remained only for VAT between patients with MDD and healthy controls.
  
  
  
  With regard to the coincidence of MDD with cardiovascular and cardiometabolic disorders, a structured supervised exercise program carried out during hospitalization is a useful supplement for patients with MDD.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Medicine Hannover Medical School Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1 30625 Hannover Germany.
authors.forename: Arno
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kerling
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Hannover Medical School Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1 30625 Hannover Germany.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: von Bohlen
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Medicine Hannover Medical School Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1 30625 Hannover Germany.
authors.forename: Momme
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kück
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Medicine Hannover Medical School Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1 30625 Hannover Germany.
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tegtbur
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Medicine Hannover Medical School Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1 30625 Hannover Germany.
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grams
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Medicine Hannover Medical School Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1 30625 HannoverGermany; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology Hannover Medical School Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1 30625 Hannover Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haufe
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sports Medicine Hannover Medical School Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1 30625 Hannover Germany.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gützlaff
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Hannover Medical School Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1 30625 Hannover Germany.
authors.forename: Kai G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Kahl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Aerobic capacity; major depression; maximum oxygen consumption; physical training; ventilatory anaerobic threshold