Depression and anxiety affect up to one in four people globally. Young people and women are particularly hard hit.
This is according to a large research review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Healthcare systems around the world are under pressure, and access to treatment may be limited.
Researchers have therefore examined whether physical activity can play a greater role in treatment.
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The analysis brings together results from numerous previous studies involving participants of all ages. Data were collected up to July 2025.
Exercise
The researchers examined planned and structured exercise such as running, swimming, dancing, strength training, and yoga.
The exercise was compared with other activities or no treatment.
The results show that exercise led to a clear reduction in symptoms of depression and a smaller, yet still noticeable, reduction in anxiety.
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The effect was observed among both younger and older participants.
For depression, group training or sessions led by an instructor had a particularly strong impact.
For anxiety, shorter programs of up to eight weeks and lower intensity appeared to be the most helpful.
Treatment
An important finding is that, according to the study, the effect of exercise was comparable to, and in some cases greater than, medication and talk therapy.
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Young adults between the ages of 18 and 30, as well as women who had recently given birth, experienced particularly significant improvements.
However, the researchers emphasize that there were differences in how the studies measured intensity and duration.
Overall, the findings suggest that physical activity can be an important part of the treatment of depression and anxiety.
Sources: Science Daily, and British Journal of Sports Medicine.
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