A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Granada, in collaboration with the University of Castilla-La Mancha and Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands, has highlighted the significant impact of supervised physical exercise on the mental health and quality of life of individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD).
The research, published in the European Heart Journal, explored the role of exercise settings in improving the well-being of patients with coronary artery disease. The study analyzed data from 36 prior studies involving 3,534 patients worldwide. The researchers, led by Prof. Francisco B. Ortega of the University of Granada’s Faculty of Sport Sciences, employed a method called Network Meta-analysis to assess the effects of various exercise programs, including strength training, moderate aerobic exercise, and high-intensity interval training.
Key findings from the research revealed that the environment in which exercise takes place—rather than the type of exercise itself—plays a pivotal role in optimizing mental health benefits. Specifically, face-to-face, supervised exercise programs were found to provide the most substantial improvements, while home-based exercise programs yielded more modest results.
“The study demonstrates that exercise not only enhances physical and cardiac health but also contributes positively to mental well-being,” said Prof. Ortega. However, he also noted a gap in existing research, emphasizing the need for more studies on brain health, including cognitive function and changes in brain structure.
Researchers also pointed out that individuals with coronary heart disease are at an elevated risk of mental health disorders compared to their healthy peers. “Our findings suggest that structured exercise programs can be an effective tool to mitigate this risk, significantly enhancing patients’ quality of life and mental health,” stated Esmée A. Bakker, one of the lead authors of the study.
The study’s results challenge previous research that suggested home-based and in-person exercise programs were equally effective. “By including twice as many clinical trials and employing more advanced methodology, our study clearly shows that supervised, in-person exercise programs are more effective than unsupervised, home-based alternatives,” explained Angel Toval, a researcher from the University of Granada’s Department of Physical Education and Sports.
This research could have profound clinical implications, suggesting the need for exercise programs that are tailored to the patient’s context and professionally supervised to maximize mental and physical health benefits.
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