Aerobic exercise trials reported lower anxiety and depression symptoms in young people
Pooled randomized trials favored aerobic exercise for anxiety and depression symptom scores. The abstract leaves control conditions unspecified and does not establish which exercise schedule is better.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review found lower anxiety and depression symptom scores with aerobic exercise across trials involving children and adolescents. It also examined results by session length, frequency and program duration. However, the abstract does not describe control conditions or present direct schedule comparisons that would establish a particular program as best.
Control conditions, detailed participant eligibility and overall follow-up timing are missing. Favorable results in schedule subgroups do not establish that those schedules outperform alternatives.
Scores describe symptom differences
The pooled results describe differences in anxiety and depression symptom scores on a standardized scale. The abstract does not report how many participants recovered, so these findings should not be read as recovery rates.
Schedules need direct comparisons
A statistically significant result within a schedule subgroup does not establish superiority over another subgroup. Without reported direct comparisons between schedules, the abstract's recommendations leave uncertainty about which program would produce better outcomes.
The original publication
Aerobic exercise strategies for anxiety and depression among children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Song H, Ge S, Wang Y et al.
Front Public Health · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 40666146
- Record checked
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