Summary: A massive analysis of over 375 trials shows that structured exercise significantly reduces depression and anxiety in children and teens. Low-intensity resistance activities like light weights were most effective for easing anxiety, while moderate mixed-mode programs worked best for depression, especially when lasting under 12 weeks.

The strongest benefits were seen in youth with depression or ADHD, and results emerged quickly, especially for those aged 12 and older. The findings support exercise as a powerful, low-cost intervention that could complement or even replace traditional treatments for youth mental health challenges.

Key Facts:

Targeted Exercise Helps: Light resistance reduces anxiety, mixed aerobic-strength circuits reduce depression.

Light resistance reduces anxiety, mixed aerobic-strength circuits reduce depression. Fast Results: Most benefits occurred in programs under 12 weeks, particularly for ages 12+.

Most benefits occurred in programs under 12 weeks, particularly for ages 12+. Low-Cost Impact: Exercise offers an accessible, drug-free mental health intervention for youth.

Source: University of South Australia

With more than three-quarters of children and teens experiencing depression or anxiety, parents are desperate for effective solutions.

Now, new research from the University of South Australia shows that something as simple as regular exercise could be a powerful intervention to support young people’s mental health.

Children with depression and ADHD also showed the greatest improvements from exercise. Credit: Neuroscience News

In the largest meta-meta-analysis of 375 clinical trials involving more than 38,000 young people, UniSA researchers found that when children took part in structured exercise programs, their symptoms of depression and anxiety improved. Specifically, the study found that:

Anxiety improved most through low-intensity, resistance exercises, such as light weights or gentle circuit activities.

improved most through low-intensity, resistance exercises, such as light weights or gentle circuit activities. Depression improved most through moderate-intensity, mixed-mode and resistance training, including circuits that combine aerobic and strength programs, particularly in programs lasting less than three months.

The biggest improvements in depression symptoms occurred in programs lasting fewer than 12 weeks, suggesting that benefits can emerge relatively quickly – especially for children aged 12 and over.

No significant differences were seen among the frequency of exercise sessions per week.

Children with depression and ADHD also showed the greatest improvements from exercise.

Lead researcher, UniSA’s Dr Ben Singh says the findings present parents with a non-invasive, low-cost solution to combat poor mental health in kids.

“Depression and anxiety are among the most prevalent mental health issues affecting children and

teenagers worldwide,” Dr Ben Singh says.

“Evidence-based treatment guidelines often recommend cognitive behaviour therapy and antidepressants as first-line interventions, yet 40-60% of children don’t receive treatment or fail to gain sufficient benefits, so we clearly need alternatives.

“Exercise is a low-cost, widely accessible strategy that could make a real difference to children’s mental health. And while people know that exercise is generally good for your health and wellbeing, there is little evidence that shows how exercise works for kids nor the types of exercise that might work better than others.

“Our study draws together global evidence to show that gentle, light-intensity exercise is highly effective in reducing anxiety in children and teens, while medium-intensity programs that combine resistance and aerobic training – like circuits with weights – can counteract depression.

“Importantly, it demonstrates how exercise is an effective, accessible, lifestyle intervention that can immediately improve mental health issues in children, without first defaulting to medicines.”

Senior researcher, UniSA’s Prof Carol Maher says the findings reiterate the importance of exercise for mental health.

“Exercise should be a core part of mental health care for children and teens, whether at school, in the community, or clinical settings,” Prof Maher says.

“Short, structured programs that include strength training or a mix of activities seem especially promising, but simply exercising, even for short amounts of time will deliver benefits.

“And for parents, rest assured – you certainly don’t need to fork out money for a gym membership or training program; play-based activities, games, and sport are all valuable forms of movement that can support mental wellbeing.

“The key message is simple: get active and keep active. Even short bursts of movement can make a real difference to a child’s mental health and wellbeing – especially for those who are struggling”.

About this exercise and mental health research news

Author: Annabel Mansfield

Source: University of South Australia

Contact: Annabel Mansfield – University of South Australia

Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Open access.

“Systematic Umbrella Review and Meta-Meta-Analysis: Effectiveness of Physical Activity in Improving Depression and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents” by Ben Singh et al. JAACAP Connect

Abstract

Systematic Umbrella Review and Meta-Meta-Analysis: Effectiveness of Physical Activity in Improving Depression and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents

Objective

Depression and anxiety are prevalent and rising in children and adolescents, prompting interest in exercise as a potential therapeutic intervention. The aim of this systematic umbrella review and meta-meta-analysis (a meta-analysis of meta-analyses) was to evaluate the effects of exercise on depression and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents and to identify the most promising exercise-based approaches.

Method

This systematic umbrella review was preregistered (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024533558) and followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews (PRIOR) guidelines. A search of 11 databases identified systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of exercise (aerobic, resistance, mind–body exercise) on depression and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents.

Risk of bias was assessed using the A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR-2) tool, and certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. Meta-analyses were conducted to combine effect sizes, using random effects models. Subgroup analyses were performed to examine participant and intervention characteristics.

Results

A total of 21 systematic reviews (n = 375 RCTs, n = 38,117 participants 5-18 years of age) were included. Participants included those with various clinical conditions, including depression, psychosocial disorders, obesity, and cancer, as well as healthy individuals. The pooled analysis found moderate effect sizes favoring exercise for symptoms of depression (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.45, 95% CI = −0.59 to −0.31, I2 = 71.37%, p < .01, 180 RCTs, n = 34,490 participants) and anxiety (SMD = −0.39, 95% CI = −0.61 to −0.17, I2 = 68.1%, p < .01, n = 55 RCTs, n = 24,797 participants).

Mixed exercise modes and moderate-intensity exercise had the largest effects on depression, whereas resistance exercise was most effective for symptoms of anxiety. Interventions that were <12 weeks were more effective for depression compared with those that were ≥12 weeks. Benefits were generally consistent across populations. The certainty of evidence was moderate for depression and low to moderate for anxiety.

Conclusion

This meta-meta-analysis finds that exercise reduces depression and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents. These results suggest that structured exercise programs should be considered as part of comprehensive care approaches.