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Aerobic exercise strategies for anxiety and depression among children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Forfatter(e)
Song, H., Ge, S., Wang, Y., Ran, L., Zhang, H.
År
2025
DOI
10.3389/fpubh.2025.1555029
Tidsskrift
Frontiers in Public Health
Volum
13
Sider
1555029
Kategori(er)
Depresjon og nedstemthet (inkl. både vansker og lidelse) Angst og engstelighet (inkl. både vansker og lidelse)
Tiltakstype(r)
Fysisk aktivitet
Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effects of exercise intensity, frequency, session duration, and intervention period in aerobic exercise programs on alleviating depression and anxiety symptoms among children and adolescents. The objective of this study is to develop suitable aerobic exercise plans for these individuals.

Methods

All articles published between the database inception year and November 2024 were obtained from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. A meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4.

Results

The analysis included data from 19 randomized controlled trials involving 2,093 children and adolescents. The findings indicated that aerobic exercise significantly improved anxiety (standardized mean difference [SMD]=-0.32, 95% CI: -0.60, -0.03; p<0.00001) and depression (SMD=-0.64, 95% CI: -0.94, -0.33, p<0.00001). For anxiety symptoms, sessions lasting 60-75min showed significant effects (SMD=-1.65, 95% CI: -3.25, -0.06, p<0.00001); a frequency of 3-4 sessions/week was most effective (SMD=-0.42, 95% CI: -0.74, -0.10, p=0.001); and interventions exceeding 12weeks showed significant improvements (SMD=-0.51, 95% CI: -0.89, -0.14, p=0.002). For depression symptoms, sessions lasting 60-75min produced significant effects (SMD=-0.78, 95% CI: -1.24, -0.33, p=0.001); a frequency of 3-4 sessions/week yielded optimal outcomes (SMD=-0.78, 95% CI: -1.09, -0.46, p<0.00001); and a shorter duration of 5-8weeks showed significant improvements (SMD=-1.22, 95% CI: -1.79, -0.65, p<0.0001).

Conclusion

For managing anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents, we recommend a high-intensity exercise regimen (60-89% VO

max, 60-75min/session, 3-4 sessions/week) with an optimal intervention duration of over 12weeks. For managing depression symptoms, we propose a moderate-to-high-intensity exercise protocol (40-89% VO

max) with the same session duration and frequency, but with a shorter optimal intervention duration of 5-8weeks.