A comprehensive review of global research indicates that exercise, particularly aerobic activities, can significantly reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. The analysis, covering tens of thousands of participants aged 10 to 90, shows exercise often matches or surpasses medication and talk therapy in effectiveness. Benefits were observed across all age groups and sexes, with supervised or group settings providing the greatest improvements.
A large-scale umbrella review and data synthesis, published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, examined the impact of exercise on depression and anxiety. The study synthesized pooled data from randomized controlled trials up to July 2025, focusing on structured physical activities across various intensities, frequencies, and settings.
For depression, the review incorporated 57 pooled analyses from 800 studies involving 57,930 participants aged 10 to 90, all with clinical diagnoses or symptoms but no co-existing conditions. Exercise categories included aerobic (19 analyses), resistance training (8), mind-body practices like yoga and tai chi (16), and mixed programs (39). Results showed a medium-sized reduction in symptoms, with aerobic activities in supervised or group settings yielding the largest benefits.
For anxiety, 24 pooled analyses from 258 studies covered 19,368 participants aged 18 to 67. Interventions were grouped into aerobic (7), resistance (1), mind-body (9), and mixed (13), each demonstrating a small to medium-sized positive effect. Shorter programs up to eight weeks with lower intensity were particularly helpful for anxiety.
The strongest improvements appeared in young adults aged 18 to 30 and postpartum women. Overall, all exercise types performed as well as or better than medication or talking therapies, regardless of age or sex. Depression and anxiety affect up to one in four people worldwide, with higher rates among young people and women.
The researchers noted limitations, including varying definitions of exercise intensity and limited data across all life stages. They concluded: "This meta-meta-analysis provides robust evidence that exercise effectively reduced depression and anxiety symptoms across all age groups, comparable with, or exceeding, traditional pharmacological or psychological interventions."
They emphasized: "Group and supervised formats gave the most substantial benefits, underscoring the importance of social factors in mental health interventions." The findings suggest tailored exercise programs could serve as a cost-effective, accessible first-line intervention, especially where traditional treatments are limited.
