Health

Depression and physical activity

What mechanisms

Depression is a widespread illness affecting nearly 10% of the population in Western countries. Physical activity has a recognized positive impact.

Half of people with depressive disorders receive treatment, and only a third of those who are treated see their symptoms lessen.

Mood disorders appear to originate from a brain structure called the hippocampus as part of neurogenesis processes that are thought to be disrupted.

Physical activity leads to increased levels of endorphins, specifically beta-endomorphins, which are directly linked to neurogenesis. Endorphins reduce pain and induce a euphoric state.

Phenylethylamine , an endogenous neuroamine (meaning it is secreted only within the body), plays a role in mood, alertness, and physical energy levels. It may also contribute to the euphoria experienced by long-distance runners, a phenomenon previously attributed entirely to endorphins.

Physical exercise increases endothelial growth factor, which is also linked to hippocampal activity.

Also under the influence of physical exercise, the secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a major role in the development and survival of neurons. This factor increases with the use of antidepressants, and this increase is much more rapid for those who regularly engage in physical exercise.

Serotonin is involved in the antidepressant effects of physical exercise. Regular physical activity increases the synthesis of enzymes that are precursors to serotonin.

Another consequence of engaging in physical exercise is:

– Stimulation of the endocannabinoid system, which affects analgesia, sedation, and anxiety

– the role of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, with low noradrenaline levels increasing with physical exercise

What am I feeling?

The depressive picture is dominated by sadness and a slowing of mood . These elements are found in speech and necessitate a psychiatric evaluation where the person is invited to express what they are feeling.

A depressive episode can begin with irritability, manifested as an unusual intolerance to noise and the presence of loved ones. The depressed person isolates themselves, their face becomes fixed and less expressive. They are slowed down, withdrawn, and pay less and less attention to their appearance, even neglecting their hygiene. They have fewer and fewer initiatives; they speak, in a monotonous and slow tone, and less and less frequently. A loss of interest in usual activities often marks the onset of depression. Academic or professional difficulties may attract the attention of those around them.

But it is above all the sadness of mood that is characteristic: almost continuous, it colors the pessimistic discourse of the patient, without him being sensitive to humor or a more optimistic environment.

In severe depressions of melancholic intensity (requiring rapid treatment in hospital), the doctor’s attention is drawn to a discourse mixing themes of guilt, incurability and self-devaluation in the patient.

Mental slowing is manifested by indecisiveness, memory problems (occasional and regressive) and concentration problems with disturbed speech and difficulty finding words.

Suicidal thoughts are sometimes (but not always) present and represent a significant risk of suicidal behavior.

Physical disturbances , often expressed first by the patient, may concern: sleep, with a tendency to take refuge in sleep but with early awakenings; eating, with refusal of food and weight loss; a decrease in libido with frigidity or impotence; various disorders with constipation, orthostatic hypotension, sensitivity to cold and profuse sweating.

Anxiety is most often internalized , but in some patients it can be expressed as anxious agitation punctuated by panic attacks.

In the elderly, depressive episodes may take a form combining amnesia and anxious agitation , without there being an evolution towards dementia.

Psychological mechanisms

Physical activity has a proven antidepressant effect.

Sport and regular physical activity allow you to:

– to escape the problems of daily life and the various constraints that are poorly addressed psychologically. This is typically the anti-stress aspect of physical activity.

– to improve feelings of self-efficacy: depressed people doubt their ability to act, to do something interesting or good. Sports practice allows them to regain confidence.

– Social contact that plays an antidepressant role.

The increase in body temperature due to physical exercise will also improve mood disorders.

The conditions

Endurance exercise, that is, aerobic exercise, has the same effect on depressive symptoms as anaerobic exercise, that is, resistance exercise. It has also been shown that combining both types of exercise has the best effect on depressive symptoms.

Figaro Health

Health

This Is the Age When You’re Most Physically Fit

Researchers have pinpointed the age when people reach their peak physical fitness.

In an exhaustive 47-year study, researchers followed 427 people from ages 16 to 63, regularly measuring their height and weight, and testing their fitness by evaluating endurance on a stationary bicycle and the weight they could bench press.

They found that age 35 is the time of peak physical performance for both men and women, according to the study published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle. “There is no sex difference in decline with age,” researchers found. They also said that while physical decline is inevitable, active people experience a slower decline.

And the earlier you start moving, the better: “Individuals who were physically active in their leisure time at age 16 maintained higher aerobic capacity, muscular endurance and muscle power throughout the observation period,” the study says.

“This emphasizes the importance of early intervention to establish positive exercise habits in adolescence and early adulthood, as these patterns appear to have long-term benefits for physical function.”

But it doesn’t mean that once you’re 36, it’s all over: “It is never too late to start moving. Our study shows that physical activity can slow the decline in performance, even if it cannot completely stop it,” Maria Westerståhl, lecturer at the Department of Laboratory Medicine and lead author of the study, said in a press release from Karolinska Institutet.

“Now we will look for the mechanisms behind why everyone reaches their peak performance at age 35 and why physical activity can slow performance loss but not completely halt it,” she said, adding that the next step will be to evaluate the subjects when they are 68.

People magazine

Health

Dubai Hernia Summit Concludes Its Second Edition with the First-Ever Inclusion of Diastasis Recti Congress

International experts highlight the shift from cosmetic perception to clinical reality in abdominal wall reconstruction

Dubai, February 6, 2026

The Dubai Hernia Summit (DHS) successfully concluded its second edition in Dubai, marking a significant milestone with the first-ever inclusion of a dedicated International Congress for Diastasis Recti as part of this year’s scientific programme. The summit was held in collaboration with American Hospital Dubai and brought together a distinguished group of international surgeons and medical experts specialising in abdominal wall surgery.

The second edition of the Dubai Hernia Summit took place from January 30 to February 1, 2026, at The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre, further strengthening the event’s position as a regional and international platform for advanced hernia surgery and abdominal wall reconstruction.

A key highlight of this year’s summit was the introduction of Diastasis Recti as a dedicated scientific track for the first time, addressing a condition that is often misunderstood as purely cosmetic. Diastasis recti—the structural separation of the rectus abdominis muscles—is a clinically significant condition that can affect core stability, physical function, posture, and long-term quality of life.

Expanded Scientific Programme

The scientific agenda featured advanced educational tracks, including the Diastasis Recti Masterclass, ETEP Universe, and Advanced Sessions, focusing on evidence-based practice, modern surgical techniques, and functional abdominal wall reconstruction.

The programme welcomed internationally recognised speakers, including Marco Correa, Rodrigo Galhego, Paulo Michels, Luciano Tracia, and Mario Cherubino, who shared global expertise and presented advanced approaches to complex abdominal wall and diastasis recti reconstruction.

Scientific Leadership and Acknowledgements

Dr Hatem Moussa, Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Dubai Hernia Summit and Head of the Department of Surgery at American Hospital Dubai, said the successful conclusion of the second edition reflects the summit’s growing scientific impact and international relevance.

“The Dubai Hernia Summit continues to evolve, and the inclusion of Diastasis Recti for the first time this year represents an important step forward in addressing conditions that require proper clinical recognition and specialised surgical management,” Dr Moussa said.

He added:

“I would like to sincerely thank all the physicians and international experts who contributed to the scientific success of this edition. I also extend my appreciation to American Hospital Dubai and Mr Sherif Beshara for their continued support, commitment to advancing healthcare standards, and their key role in the successful delivery of this year’s summit.”

Advancing Abdominal Wall Surgery

The summit placed strong emphasis on robotic-assisted and advanced minimally invasive surgery, positioning the second edition of DHS as a leading platform for showcasing innovation in hernia repair and abdominal wall reconstruction. Specialised workshops provided participants with practical exposure to the latest surgical technologies and techniques.

The event was supported by American Hospital Dubai, alongside leading global medical technology companies including Medtronic, Intuitive, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), Johnson & Johnson, and Cambridge Medical Robotics (CMR).

Reinforcing Dubai’s Global Role

The successful conclusion of the second edition of the Dubai Hernia Summit, and the first-time inclusion of the Diastasis Recti Congress, further reinforces Dubai’s position as a global destination for specialised medical conferences, advanced surgical education, and innovation-driven healthcare collaboration.

For more information :
Website: www.dubaihernia.com
Email: info@dubaihernia.com

About Dubai Hernia Summit (DHS)

The Dubai Hernia Summit is a leading medical platform dedicated to clinical excellence in hernia surgery and abdominal wall reconstruction. By uniting a global faculty of surgical pioneers and technology leaders, DHS facilitates high-level scientific exchange and the responsible adoption of advanced surgical technologies to improve patient outcomes internationally.

For media contact

Mourad Alsayed
Mobile: +071588144155
Murad.mustafa@awarenessupr.com

Health

A Major Advance in Complex Spinal Surgery: Saudi German Hospital Dubai Ends 30 Years of Suffering for Scoliosis Patient

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The Spinal Center at Saudi German Hospital Dubai has achieved a significant medical milestone in complex spinal care, successfully performing a highly advanced spinal deformity correction on a patient who had lived with severe, neglected scoliosis for more than three decades.

The condition, which developed during childhood, had progressively evolved into a rigid structural deformity of the spine, resulting in chronic pain, restricted mobility, and long-term physical limitations that profoundly affected the patient’s quality of life.

A Surgical Challenge Requiring Advanced Expertise

This case extended well beyond conventional corrective procedures. Decades of progression had caused the spinal curvature to become structurally rigid, placing the condition among the most technically demanding scenarios in spinal surgery. Such cases require exceptional surgical expertise, meticulous planning, and strict adherence to internationally recognized standards of care.

Led by Professor Hazem Farid, Consultant Spine Surgeon, the multidisciplinary team implemented an advanced surgical protocol aimed at releasing the rigid deformity and restoring the body’s natural axial alignment while minimizing neurological risk.

Precision Techniques and Advanced Safety Measures

The three-and-a-half-hour procedure employed spinal osteotomy, a specialized technique used to reshape and realign solidified vertebrae with high precision. To safeguard neurological function, the surgical team utilized state-of-the-art intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), providing continuous, real-time assessment of nerve signals throughout the procedure and ensuring the highest standards of surgical safety.

A Transformative Outcome

The results were evident within hours of surgery. The patient was able to stand with a corrected posture and walk independently, marking the end of a prolonged period of pain and physical restriction. Beyond the physical correction, the successful outcome also delivered a profound psychological benefit, restoring confidence, mobility, and independence.

Advancing Specialized Spine Care in the Region

This achievement highlights the advanced capabilities of Saudi German Hospital Dubai in managing complex spinal conditions and reinforces its role as a regional reference center for high-complexity specialty surgeries. By combining specialized expertise with cutting-edge surgical technology, the hospital continues to contribute to Dubai’s growing reputation as a leading destination for advanced and sophisticated healthcare.