Nutrition plays a key role in regulating the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which is responsible for controlling involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, breathing, digestion and body temperature. Some nutrients, such as amino acids, vitamins and minerals, have a specific role in the ANS. For example, amino acids are necessary for the synthesis of neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and anxiety. Vitamins and minerals are important for the proper functioning of the ANS, such as vitamin B12, magnesium and zinc. A balanced diet can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which can negatively affect ANS functioning. On the other hand, a nutrient-poor diet can lead to dysfunctions in the ANS, such as hypertension, changes in heart rate and digestive disorders. Digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia can occur when the ANS is not working properly. It is important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet to ensure the proper functioning of the autonomic nervous system.

Motor development is known for its constant evolution, as it allows a baby to develop his motor skills and perform complex and coordinated movements. Such knowledge on the subject is extremely important for the physical therapist, so that he is able to deal with certain situations, which include pathological conditions and developmental delays, requiring intervention and rehabilitation, thus making implications for cerebral palsy (CP).

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.