Aerobic exercise such as running, swimming or dancing can serve as a frontline treatment for mild depression and anxiety, researchers say. A large review found the strongest benefits in young adults and new mothers, groups considered especially vulnerable to mental health problems.
Scientists analysed 63 reviews covering nearly 80,000 people and reported the findings in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Activities that raised the heart rate showed the greatest impact on depression, while resistance training and yoga produced smaller effects. Group and supervised exercise delivered additional benefits, suggesting social connection plays a key role.
Neil Munro of James Cook University said exercise can sometimes match or exceed traditional treatments for mild symptoms. However, King’s College London researcher Brendon Stubbs cautioned that the evidence mainly applies to mild cases and should not replace established therapies. Professor Michael Bloomfield of University College London added that exercise should complement, not substitute, medication or psychological treatment for more severe depression.
