HealthDay (6/30, Thompson ) reports a systemic review and meta-analysis found that “both anxiety and depression decrease when kids take part in structured exercise programs,” which offer “an alternative to medications like antidepressants.” The review “pooled data from 375 prior clinical trials involving more than 38,000 kids 5 to 18.” Researchers observed that “anxiety improved through low-intensity resistance exercise, such as lifting light weights or gentle training using circuit weight machines.” Meanwhile, depression “improved most through moderate-intensity exercise in training that combines aerobic and strength programs.” Furthermore, they found that “the biggest improvements in depression symptoms occurred in programs lasting fewer than three months, suggesting that benefits of exercise can emerge relatively quickly.” In addition, the study found no significant difference between frequency or duration of exercise in improving mental health. The review was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
Related Links:
— “Exercise Helps Kids’ Mood Disorders, Can Serve As Alternative To Meds, Review Finds,”Dennis Thompson, HealthDay, June 30, 2025