Blood lactate as a biomarker of depression: a comparative study between runners and sedentary people

Abstract

Aim:

The main objective of this work is to investigate whether recreational running, considered an aerobic exercise, would stimulate blood lactate production, reducing the risk of symptoms of depression.

Methods:

To accomplish this, we compared the depressive symptoms with the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the intensity of physical activity with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and blood samples of the D-lactate assay in two groups of participants who practiced and did not practice street running.

Results:

The results showed a negative correlation between blood lactate levels and the severity of symptoms of depression. In addition, running volunteers had significant blood lactate levels and low depression scores compared to non-running volunteers.

Conclusion:

This evidence suggests that street running may reduce symptoms of depression by stimulating blood lactate levels.

Keywords
lactate; exercise; recreational running; depression