This study is a literature review with a qualitative approach. It is justified by the significant increase in diseases acquired through lifestyle habits that generate health risks, which impair and are responsible for decreasing longevity and decreasing quality of life, such as hypertension, depression, obesity and respiratory tract diseases. Physical activity is recognized as a protective factor for health, and its benefits are associated with the reduction of chronic diseases and a decrease in the risk of premature death from diseases related to a sedentary lifestyle. The objective of this research is to search and identify, within the scientific literature, if there are in fact contributions from the practice of physical activity in subjects diagnosed with depression. For the categorization of studies and selection of materials, the following keywords were determined: physical exercise and depression and physical activity and depression. As inclusion criteria for data analysis and interpretation, the following were considered: articles in Portuguese, full texts, published in health journals, between the years 2005 to 2015. As exclusion criteria, we considered articles found by descriptors that did not contain one or more of the inclusion criteria. In this study, articles were selected by searching the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Lilacs. The choice of these databases was prioritized due to the quality and reliability of the materials available, and their easy access. 77 articles were found, of which 4 were selected to be part of this research. It can be noted that physical activity showed positive aspects and possible contributions and can be considered as a bias in an adjunct to conventional pharmacological treatments. The need for further clarification about the disease in relation to psychological, social and physiological issues is also evident, thus opening the possibility for further studies and research on the subject, so that in this way they can guide possible interventions that help in the treatment of the depression.

In the present study, we will address the contribution of physical activity in subjects diagnosed with depression, considering that depression is linked to the individual's mental health, we will have to first conceptualize what health would be. Using the definition of the World Health Organization (WHO), which proposes as health, the complete state of physical, mental and social well-being and not just the absence of diseases [1].

According to [2], one of the most relevant components for achieving good health is the lifestyle adopted by people, which can be understood as the actions performed by the individual in their daily lives: food, absence of drug consumption – legal and /or illegal – and the practice of regular physical activities.

Being considered healthy, a diet containing the consumption of grains, vegetables, leafy vegetables; proteins in general; the daily consumption of fruits and the reduction of industrialized products rich in sodium and sugars. [3]

As [2] points out, the practice of physical activity can be understood as any bodily movement, produced by striated skeletal musculature, which raises energy expenditure above baseline expenditure at rest, such as: locomotion activity, walking, cycling and swimming; recreational activities, games, dancing and sports; work activities, gardening, climbing stairs, housework in general. And physical exercise being conceptualized as any physical activity planned, structured and systematized that aims to develop and maintain physical capabilities, such as muscle strength and endurance, flexibility, aerobic and anaerobic capacity.

[2] emphasizes that the non-use of legal drugs such as alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, cigars, the indiscriminate use of pharmacological agents and the non-use of illegal drugs, which we can characterize as narcotics in general, are also part of the actions that can change in the subject's lifestyle.

[4] reports that regular physical activity is seen as a tool for promoting health and quality of life, helping to prevent and treat diseases. The has pointed out by [5] that physical activity is seen as health - promoting factor and that the benefits of regular practice are associated with a reduction of disease and risk factors. Even though physical activity is recognized as an important health-promoting resource, the low level and physical inactivity are alarmed at global levels.

Therefore, the objective of this research is to search and identify, within the scientific literature, if there are in fact contributions from the practice of physical activity in subjects diagnosed with depression.

This study is justified by the significant increase in diseases acquired through lifestyle habits that generate health risks, which harm and are responsible for decreasing longevity and decreasing quality of life, such as hypertension, depression, obesity and treatment of diseases. According to [6] the estimates, using the Global Burden of Disease methodology, referred to by the World Health Organization, propose that by the year 2020, depression will be one of the biggest causes not only of mortality, but also of disability in the general population. Therefore, we propose to establish the following question as a research problem: What are the contributions of physical activity in individuals diagnosed with depression?

In order to investigate the effects of physical activity on depression in the literature, we will have to characterize some symptoms present in this psychopathology disease, which commonly present sadness, low self-esteem, pessimism, recurrent negative thoughts, hopelessness and despair. Symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, withdrawal and suicidal ideation are also being presented. These symptoms usually present themselves as reactions to everyday occurrences that may be unpleasant for the subject. In this way, it can be understood as responses to psychological conflicts, situations experienced by the subject, being seen in a distorted way and distorting reality, increasing the inability of the depressed subject to socialize with other people in his life, as pointed out by [6].

[7] points out that the incidence of depression is around 17% in the world population, and it can be considered a major public health problem worldwide, taking into account its extremely high level of morbidity and mortality. Even though there are about eight classes of antidepressants and there are 22 types of active ingredients on the world market, the percentage of patients who respond positively to pharmacological treatment is only 30 to 35% of cases. Taking into account that these alarming data demonstrate that, yes, there is a need for other means to assist pharmacological treatments, which may support the reduction or elimination of symptoms of this psychopathology. It can be highlighted the problems generated, both for the population committed by this disease, as for the coffers of public health systems.

The present study is a literature review, in this study the articles were selected by searching the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO ) and Lilacs. The choice of these databases was prioritized due to the quality and reliability of the materials available, and their easy access.

As pointed out by [8] The literature review is characterized by searches for information that has already been published in the scientific academic environment, on a specific topic. This literature can be taken from books, articles, theses, dissertations or monographs. In this way, providing a comparison of selected studies, so that the study author can present their perception, perspective or opinion on the chosen topic, based on the literature referred to in their work.

For the categorization of studies and selection of materials, the following keywords were determined: physical exercise and depression and physical activity and depression. As inclusion criteria for data analysis and interpretation, the following were considered: articles in Portuguese, full texts, published in health journals, between the years 2005 to 2015. As exclusion criteria, we considered articles found by descriptors that did not contain one or more of the inclusion criteria.

With the descriptor physical activity and depression, 51 articles were found; with the descriptor physical exercise and depression, 26 articles were found. That totaled 77 articles, 7 articles were selected after reading the title, after selection through full reading, 4 articles were selected. For a better visualization of the data mentioned above, they were listed in Table 1.

In view of the Table 2 presented, we could observe that the four articles used in our study have a different approach, in relation to data collection, using different assessment, measurement and research methods instruments, even so, they presented favorable results in relation to possible contributions of physical activity in depression symptoms.

Two of the four articles sought to relate, through quantitative means, the levels of physical activity with depression, comparing the data obtained through questionnaires applied in the studies, so that a questionnaire aimed to measure the levels of physical activity and the other questionnaire measuring the levels of depression in the samples. Emphasizing that in both studies, different questionnaires were used to obtain data, both for levels of physical activity and for levels of mental health.

As evidenced in the work by [6], who used the WHOQOL-brefl and WHOQL-old questionnaires and the Geriatric Depression Scale, which included 41 elderly women in their sample in the study carried out in the city of Maringá, in the state of Paraná. In the work presented by [10], the BOAS and IPAQ questionnaires were used, with a sample of 875 elderly people of both sexes. This study was carried out in the city of Florianópolis in the state of São Catarina in 2002.

Both studies indicate that the more physically active, the less likely the subject is to be affected by the symptoms of depression, and it was identified that the physically more active sample had lower scores related to depression. Similarly to the samples that had low levels of physical activity, showing high scores in relation to levels of depression, indicating an inverse relationship between physical activity and possible symptoms of depression.

We could also highlight the other two articles used in our review that have characteristics of an experimental approach. As can be seen in the study by [11], who proposed the application of a regular exercise program using water aerobics as an intervention and tests were performed at the beginning, during and at the end of the activities proposed in the study. Being applied the Hamilton scale for Depression in the 21-intensity version. – HAMD (Hamilton, 1960), who assessed levels of depression in both the control and experimental groups.

[11], follows a similar approach throughout their study, applying a regular exercise program to their samples, which varied between different physical skills such as: strength, flexibility, body expression and aerobic activities, lasting 60 minutes Each session also had the participation of a control group to carry out a comparison between them, using the General Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD) as a means of evaluating the groups.

As we face the results obtained by the two articles in our work, we can notice a relevant decrease in the symptoms presented by the samples of the two experimental groups, which can be seen as positive responses to the programs proposed in the studies carried out. As for the control groups, no change was noted in relation to the levels of depression previously presented by the samples.

It is important to emphasize that in the study carried out by [11], the authors describe that adherence to the practice of physical activity is essential, so that there is maintenance and/or control of symptoms of depression. Considering that the symptoms commonly tend to reappear due to the absence of regular physical activity.

Such findings that are presented in the two articles above, are close to what is referred to by [7], who presents some recommendations such as: recommendations in severe cases of depression, using aerobic work, lasting between 20 to 30 minutes, with an intensity estimated between 50% to 60% of VO2max or between 12 to 14 on the Borg scale, a frequency of two to four times during the week. Proposing a functional reassessment every 10 to 12 weeks, with the objective of readjusting the training intensity. It also suggests that for people over 65 years of age, activities with aerobic characteristics lasting 20 minutes and intensity between 40% to 60% of the heart rate, or from 11 to 13 on the Borg scale, being valid three times weekly. Showing that it is relevant to emphasize that, in terms of importance, increased adherence is related to time spent with a more active life, thus presenting a correlation between physical exercise, prescribed by a trained professional and adherence to the practice by the depressed subject in search of healthier lifestyle habits.

After analyzing the data, it is possible to observe that the practice of physical activity is proportionally opposed to the symptoms of depression, showing an inverse relationship between them, pointing out the need for adherence to the practice for the promotion and maintenance, not just the physical valences, but also of the individual's mental and social health.

In the same way, the positive aspects and contributions are evidenced and can be considered as a bias in an adjunct to conventional pharmacological treatments. The need for further clarification about the disease in relation to psychological, social and physiological issues is also evident, thus opening the possibility for further studies and research on the subject, so that in this way they can guide possible interventions that help in the treatment of the depression.