The Role of Exercise in Alleviating Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents
- Dr Tommy Tran
- Feb 14, 2023
- 2 min read
Mental health issues among adolescents are on the rise, with anxiety and depression being the two most commonly reported mental health conditions. Psychological support and medication are often the “go-to” treatments for managing these conditions. However, a new systematic review has examined the role of exercise in alleviating depressive symptoms in adolescents.
The study looked at 21 studies involving over 2444 adolescents. The exercise program consisted of an average of 3 days a week for 50 minutes per day, although the frequency and intensity did vary across studies. The analysis found moderate to large improvements in depressive symptoms (g = -0.29). This is great news as it provides evidence that physical activity can play an important role in improving adolescent mental health.
This finding follows up on my last post about the positive role of exercise in ADHD, further highlighting the importance of physical activity for children’s general well-being and mental health. Of course, exercise is just one factor contributing to good mental health; other factors such as creating healthy routines and establishing strong relationships are also important components of management strategies for these illnesses.
Research shows that physical activity can be an effective tool for reducing depressive symptoms among adolescents when combined with other evidence-based strategies such as psychological support and medications if necessary. Exercise has a number of additional benefits including improved sleep quality and increased self-esteem, making it an excellent addition to any adolescent’s daily routine.
As parents, it's important to keep our children active by providing them with ample opportunities to engage in physical activities they enjoy while also monitoring their overall well-being. By understanding how physical activity can contribute to overall good mental health, we can empower our children to lead healthier lifestyles both now and into adulthood.
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