Biological

For health care providers to recommend exercise as a treatment, they first must understand how exercise biologically impacts the individual. There is a large amount of research documented that exercise is associated with positive health outcomes, including lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. According to Mata (2010), individuals achieve positive health outcomes as a result of exercising. Mata’s study examined how genes can influence the amount of benefit depending on the type of exercise they are doing (Mata, Thompson, & Gotlib, 2010). The gene is called BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor). BDNF is a protein that enhances brain plasticity and health by creating new neuron and synapses. In Mata’s (2010) study, saliva from 82 participants was collected with the Oragene Kit. The saliva was used to collect a full sample of gene expression. Questionnaires were also used to collect data on physical activity and depressive symptoms. The study found that woman who contained at least one BDNF allele showed physical activity lowered their depressive symptoms (Mata et al., 2010). The study concludes that physical activity can biologically improve depressive symptoms based on certain gene expression.