Only a few studies have investigated the effects of exercise interventions on the symptoms of bipolar disorder. One such study was a retrospective cohort pilot study conducted in an inpatient setting that aimed to identify the utility of an adjunctive walking group for bipolar individuals over the course of 24 months. After exercising, patients who participated in the group had lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress [26]. An acute bout of exercise (i.e., walking on a treadmill for 20 min at 70% of the individual’s maximum heart rate) also significantly improved the mood of bipolar participants [26]. Individuals with bipolar disorder who participated in an exercise program (i.e., eight 30 min walking sessions) had better perceptions of stress reactivity to an acute stressor as well as reduced physiological reactions to stress [52].
