Aerobic exercise such as running, swimming or dancing can act as a frontline treatment for mild depression and anxiety, researchers say. A major review found the strongest benefits in young adults and new mothers, two groups at higher risk of mental health problems.
Scientists analysed 63 previous reviews covering nearly 80,000 people. The findings, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, showed that heart-rate-raising activities produced the biggest reductions in depressive symptoms. Resistance training and yoga also helped, but to a lesser degree. Group and supervised exercise appeared especially effective, suggesting social connection boosts mental health gains.
Neil Munro of James Cook University said exercise can match or even exceed traditional treatments for mild cases. Short, low-intensity programmes may work particularly well for anxiety.
Experts urged caution for people with severe depression. Brendon Stubbs of King’s College London and Michael Bloomfield of University College London stressed that exercise should complement, not replace, established treatments such as therapy or medication when clinically required.
