January 24, 2006 > Reduce Anxiety and Depression

by Barry Zepel

Experimental evidence shows that physical activity can enhance thinking and positive mood while reducing anxiety and depression.

Daniel M. Landers, regents' professor of kinesiology at Arizona State University, will address that theory on Wednesday, Feb. 1 when the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at California State University, East Bay hosts the 2006 Alliance Scholar Lecture of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. The lecture will take place in room PE 152 of the Gymnasium building on the university's Hayward campus, located at 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd. Landers' presentation begins at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited.

According to Landers, physical inactivity is related to dementia and Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, and depression. He says that genes important for cognitive functioning and emotional stability "are only activated by physical activity" and suggests an evolutionary genetic link.

"Daniel Landers is recognized as a leading sports psychologist," said Penny McCullagh, professor of sport and exercise psychology at Cal State East Bay. "He founded the leading journal in sport and exercise psychology and has fostered the development of one of the nation's premier doctoral programs in exercise science."

During the past 30 years Landers and his students have produced theory-driven research and his research on the psychophysiology of skilled performance has influenced Olympic performers. As a result he has served as a consultant to the Olympic Committees of the United States, Venezuela, Belgium, Israel, China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

Landers is a Fellow in the Academy of Kinesiology and Physical Education, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychological Society, the American College of Sports Medicine, and the International Olympic Committee.

Additional information is available online at http://edschool.csueastbay.edu/departments/kpe.