Objective
This systematic review aimed to 1) update the existing evidence on the antidepressant effects of aerobic exercise (AE) in youth. 2) Investigate any potential dose‒response relationships between AE interventions and depressive symptom reduction. 3) Provide evidence-based insights to inform future research and clinical depression treatment.
Methods
Employing the PRISMA and PERSiST guidelines, a comprehensive search across nine databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, SportDiscus, CINAHL, Medline, Embase, and CNKI) yielded a total of 782 relevant studies. Following rigorous selection criteria, 26 eligible studies (comprising 22 different samples) were included in the analysis, featuring a combined sample size of 1308 participants. The meta-analysis was conducted via R.
Results
AE notably decreased depressive symptoms among youth [g = -0.92; 95% CI (-1.16, -0.69); p < 0.01]. Significant dose‒response relationships were observed across age groups [β = -0.06; 95% CI (-0.12, 0.00), p < 0.05], the intensity [β = -0.03; 95% CI (-0.06, 0.00); p < 0.05], and the duration ^ 2 [β = 0.001, 95% CI (0.001, 0.002), p < 0.05] of the AE intervention.
Conclusions
Aerobic exercise interventions can effectively alleviate depressive symptoms in youth. A moderate-intensity AE program, lasting 25-40 min and conducted three times a week for 9-15 weeks, can increase alleviation of depression.