The power of exercise to improve a person's mood should no longer be overlooked as a frontline treatment for depression, says the Black Dog Institute.
People commonly report feeling better after vigorous activity, says the institute's Professor Gordon Parker who points to an Australian study of 500 fun run participants.
Yet this widely experienced, and non-medical, method to improve a person's sense of wellbeing is under-utilised as a treatment for depression, he says.
"This Australian study, along with recent overseas research, has demonstrated the benefits of exercise for improving mood and energy levels in depression," said Prof Parker, who is executive director of the institute based at the University of NSW.
"While regular moderate exercise can be an effective way to treat some forms of depression, it can be very difficult for people experiencing depression to find the motivation to get started."
This is where GPs and other health workers should play a greater role, Prof Parker said, to assist depressed patients to become more active.
The institute surveyed 500 runners at last year's Blackmore Sydney Running Festival, and 95 per cent reported that exercise gave them an "improved mood".
Over 90 per cent of runners who reported current symptoms of depression said exercise "gives me more energy" and "makes me feel better if I am feeling depressed".
Prof Parker said the research indicated exercise was particularly useful for reducing depression among people with mild to moderate depression, who were previously inactive.
Australian long-distance swimmer Brendan Capell, who is ranked No.2 in the world, has lent his support to the Black Dog Institute's call.
Mr Capell is training to compete against five other champion marathon swimmers in August's the Great Channel Swim - a gruelling 32km race across the English Channel from England to France that should take upwards of seven hours.
"It's always been a goal of mine to swim across the channel," he said, adding it was setting goals and working towards them that ensured exercise continued to give him a mental boost.
"The more I train - and there are different things going on in my life and stress involved - but if you can get in the pool and do a session you feel better.
"Whether you are walking a couple of Ks (kilometres), or doing extensive exercise, if you challenge yourself to reach a goal there is a sense of achievement."
The Black Dog Institute is developing free customised educational programs for GPs and other healthcare professionals to assist them in using exercise as a strategy for treating depression.
A two-hour workshop will be tested at the Black Dog Institute, starting in July this year, while the rollout will begin late next year.
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