Topic: Health

A large review of studies found that exercise can be as effective as medication or therapy in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. This is true for people of all ages and sexes.

A new study has shown that exercise can be a powerful treatment for depression and anxiety. The researchers looked at data from many different studies to see how exercise affects these conditions. They found that exercise done in supervised or group settings may provide the greatest benefit for people with depression. For anxiety, shorter programs lasting up to 8 weeks and involving lower intensity activity may be most helpful.

The study also found that every type of exercise examined performed as well as, or better than, medication and talking therapies. These effects were seen regardless of age or sex.

Depression and anxiety are common conditions that affect millions of people worldwide. Earlier studies have already suggested that physical activity compares favorably with psychotherapy and medication for reducing symptoms. However, important questions remained about how exercise works across different age groups, levels of intensity, or frequencies.

The researchers searched research databases for pooled data analyses of randomized controlled trials published in English through July 2025. They found that all types of exercise were included, across different intensities, frequencies, and settings (individual or group).

For depression, the umbrella synthesis incorporated 57 pooled data analyses covering 800 individual studies and 57,930 participants between the ages of 10 and 90. Participants either had a clinical diagnosis of depression or were experiencing depressive symptoms but did not have other co-existing conditions.

For anxiety, the review included 24 pooled data analyses representing 258 individual studies and 19,368 participants aged 18 to 67. Exercise interventions were grouped into aerobic (7); resistance (1); mind-body (9); or mixed (13).

When the results were combined, exercise showed a medium-sized reduction in depression symptoms and a small-to-medium-sized reduction in anxiety symptoms.

The strongest improvements were observed among young adults aged 18 to 30 and women who had recently given birth. All exercise formats were linked to improvements in mental health.

Why It Matters

This study is important because it shows that exercise can be a simple and effective way to treat depression and anxiety, which are common conditions that affect many people worldwide. It also highlights the importance of finding exercises that work best for each individual, whether that's aerobic activity, resistance training, or mind-body practices.

Key Facts

• Exercise can be as effective as medication or therapy in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
• Supervised or group exercise settings may provide the greatest benefit for people with depression.
• Shorter programs lasting up to 8 weeks and involving lower intensity activity may be most helpful for anxiety.
• All types of exercise examined performed as well as, or better than, medication and talking therapies.
• Exercise can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety regardless of age or sex.

Key Terms

Meta-analysis

A study that combines data from many other studies to draw conclusions.

Implications

This study is important because it shows that exercise can be a simple and effective way to treat depression and anxiety, which are common conditions that affect many people worldwide. It also highlights the importance of finding exercises that work best for each individual, whether that's aerobic activity, resistance training, or mind-body practices.