Physical Activity and Incident Depression: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies
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OBJECTIVE: The authors examined the prospective relationship between physical activity and incident depression and explored potential moderators. METHOD: Prospective cohort studies evaluating incident depression were searched from database inception through Oct. 18, 2017, on PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, and SPORTDiscus. Demographic and clinical data, data on physical activity and depression assessments, and odds ratios, relative risks, and hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were extracted. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted, and the potential sources of heterogeneity were explored. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: =0.00). Furthermore, physical activity had a protective effect against the emergence of depression in youths (adjusted odds ratio=0.90, 95% CI=0.83, 0.98), in adults (adjusted odds ratio=0.78, 95% CI=0.70, 0.87), and in elderly persons (adjusted odds ratio=0.79, 95% CI=0.72, 0.86). Protective effects against depression were found across geographical regions, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 0.65 to 0.84 in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceania, and against increased incidence of positive screen for depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio=0.84, 95% CI=0.79, 0.89) or major depression diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio=0.86, 95% CI=0.75, 0.98). No moderators were identified. Results were consistent for unadjusted odds ratios and for adjusted and unadjusted relative risks/hazard ratios. Overall study quality was moderate to high (Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score, 6.3). Although significant publication bias was found, adjusting for this did not change the magnitude of the associations. CONCLUSIONS: Available evidence supports the notion that physical activity can confer protection against the emergence of depression regardless of age and geographical region.
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Physical exercise for approximately 45 minutes per day can significantly reduce the risk of MDD.
“Furthermore, physical exercise for approximately 45 minutes per day can significantly reduce the risk of MDD. 320 , 321”
From Major depressive disorder: hypothesis, mechanism, prevention and treatment (2024) · cites this paper as [321]
The major-depression subgroup results show a significant association between higher physical activity and lower risk of incident major depression. But Limitations and Future Research says the studies cannot establish a minimum or optimal dose, so the paper does not support approximately 45 minutes per day specifically. The evidence is from prospective cohorts and does not establish that exercise itself causes the reduction. (LLM, conf=0.90)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredSelf-reported physical activity or exercise interventions may have potential beneficial effects to lower the incidence of depression and lower the severity of obstructive sleep apnea and associated comorbidities.
“Finally, self-reported physical activity or exercise interventions may have potential beneficial effects to lower the incidence of depression20 and lower the severity of obstructive sleep apnea and associated comorbidities21.”
From Association of step counts over time with the risk of chronic disease in the All of Us Research Program (2022) · cites this paper as [20]
The Abstract and Conclusions report that higher physical activity is associated with lower odds of incident depression, supporting the depression portion attributed to this source. But the paper analyzes prospective cohorts, not exercise interventions; its Conclusions say randomized trials are needed to determine whether increasing physical activity prevents depression. The sleep-apnea portion is attached to a different citation and is not assessed here. (LLM, conf=0.86)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredRecent large-scale observational and Mendelian randomisation studies suggest that higher levels of physical activity can confer protection against mental disorders.
“There are recent large-scale observational [18] and Mendelian randomisation studies [124] suggesting that higher levels of PA can confer protection against mental disorders.”
From Exercise as Medicine for Mental and Substance Use Disorders: A Meta-review of the Benefits for Neuropsychiatric and Cognitive Outcomes (2020) · cites this paper as [18]
The Abstract and Discussion report a large meta-analysis of prospective observational studies associating higher physical activity with lower odds of future depression. This supports the observational-study portion of the citing sentence, but the source examines depression, not mental disorders generally. The Mendelian randomisation studies are attributed to a separate citation. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredAdjusting for baseline depressive symptoms, body mass index, smoking status, age, gender and other confounds did not alter the findings for physical activity and depression.
“Adjusting for baseline depressive symptoms, body mass index, smoking status, age, gender and other confounds did not alter the findings.”
From A meta-review of "lifestyle psychiatry": the role of exercise, smoking, diet and sleep in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders (2020) · cites this paper as [29]
The Physical Activity and Incident Depression results report that the protective association remained significant in adjusted odds-ratio subgroups accounting for the listed confounders. However, Limitations and Future Research notes that the single study adjusting relative risk for baseline depressive symptoms found no significant association. Thus, saying adjustment did not alter the findings without qualifying the analysis is too broad; our copy provides no page number for these passages. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredSimilar protective effects of physical activity were found in children/adolescents (n=3, OR=0.907, 95% CI: 0.836-0.985), adults (n=16, OR=0.787, 95% CI: 0.707-0.877) and older adults (n=16, OR=0.794, 95% CI: 0.726-0.868).
“and in children/adolescents (n=3, OR=0.907, 95% CI: 0.836-0.985), adults (n=16, OR=0.787, 95% CI: 0.707-0.877) or older adults (n=16, OR=0.794, 95% CI: 0.726-0.868).”
From A meta-review of "lifestyle psychiatry": the role of exercise, smoking, diet and sleep in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders (2020) · cites this paper as [29]
Although there was indication of publication bias, adjusting for this did not alter the overall findings for physical activity and incident depression (OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.81-0.89).
“Although there was indication of publication bias, adjusting for this did not alter overall findings (OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.81-0.89).”
From A meta-review of "lifestyle psychiatry": the role of exercise, smoking, diet and sleep in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders (2020) · cites this paper as [29]
Longitudinal studies show that the association between marital discord and depressive symptoms is bidirectional, but with a stronger time-lagged association of marital discord predicting depressive symptoms than vice-versa.
“Longitudinal studies show that this association is bidirectional, 241,242 but with a stronger time-lagged association of marital discord predicting depressive symptoms than viceversa. 243”
From Time for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission (2022) · cites this paper as [242]
The risk of incident depression is estimated to be 21% lower in older adults who engage in physical activity, especially at moderate to vigorous intensities.
“The risk of incident depression is estimated to be 21% lower in older adults who engage in PA, especially at moderate to vigorous intensities [442,443].”
From Global consensus on optimal exercise recommendations for enhancing healthy longevity in older adults (ICFSR) (2025) · cites this paper as [443]
Risk of incident depression is estimated to be 21% lower in older adults who engage in PA, especially at moderate to vigorous intensities.
“The risk of incident depression is estimated to be 21% lower in older adults who engage in PA, especially at moderate to vigorous intensities [442,443].”
From Global consensus on optimal exercise recommendations for enhancing healthy longevity in older adults (ICFSR) (2025) · cites this paper as [443]
Higher levels of PA are associated with reduced odds of developing depression (OR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.79-0.88) across age groups.
“a recent meta-analysis of 49 prospective studies across nearly 267,000 individuals demonstrated that higher levels of PA associated with reduced odds of developing depression [odds ratio (OR) = 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79–0.88] across age groups (2).”
From The Role of Exercise in Management of Mental Health Disorders: An Integrative Review (2021) · cites this paper as [2]
Physical activity has a protective effect against the future onset of depression.
“Meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies showed that physical activity had a protective effect against the future onset of depression [17], while sedentary time increased the risk of depression [18].”
From Digital Biomarkers for Depression Screening With Wearable Devices: Cross-sectional Study With Machine Learning Modeling (2021) · cites this paper as [17]
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Self-citationAssociation Between Physical Activity and Risk of Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
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Self-citationTime for united action on depression: a Lancet–World Psychiatric Association Commission
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Major depressive disorder: hypothesis, mechanism, prevention and treatment
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Choi, K. W., Chen, C.-Y., Stein, M. B., Klimentidis, Y. C., Wang, M.-J., Koenen, K. C., Smoller, J. W., & Major Depressive Disorder Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (2019) · JAMA Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2018.4175 · Cited by 744 · see citing works
Stubbs, B., Vancampfort, D., Hallgren, M., Firth, J., Veronese, N., Solmi, M., Brand, S., Cordes, J., Malchow, B., Gerber, M., et al. (2018) · European Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.eurpsy.2018.07.004 · Cited by 697 · see citing works
Self-citationRomero, C., Rodríguez‐Almagro, J., Zafra, M. D. O., Parra-Fernández, M. L., Prado-Laguna, M. D. C., & Hernández‐Martínez, A. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17186567 · Cited by 532 · see citing works
“Other factors associated with physical activity are motivation, lack of time and aspects related to body image or physical appearance [12]; some of the beneficial effects of physical activity are reduced anxiety and depression [13,14].”
BackgroundAshdown-Franks, G., Firth, J., Carney, R., Carvalho, A. F., Hallgren, M., Koyanagi, A., Rosenbaum, S., Schuch, F. B., Smith, L., Solmi, M., et al. (2020) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-019-01187-6 · Cited by 446 · see citing works
“For example, higher levels of PA are consistently associated with a reduced risk of depression [18, 19], anxiety and stressrelated disorders [20, 21].”
BackgroundSelf-citationPhysical activity protects from incident anxiety: A meta‐analysis of prospective cohort studies
Schuch, F. B., Stubbs, B., Meyer, J., Heissel, A., Zech, P., Vancampfort, D., Rosenbaum, S., Deenik, J., Firth, J., Ward, P. B., et al. (2019) · Depression and Anxiety · doi:10.1002/da.22915 · Cited by 427 · see citing works
“are more likely to find significant or larger effects (Schuch et al., 2018; Thompson & Higgins, 2002).”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSelf-citationThe Role of Exercise in Management of Mental Health Disorders: An Integrative Review
Smith, P. J., & Merwin, R. M. (2021) · Annual Review of Medicine · doi:10.1146/annurev-med-060619-022943 · Cited by 360 · see citing works
Köhler, C. A., Evangelou, E., Stubbs, B., Solmi, M., Veronese, N., Belbasis, L., Bortolato, B., Melo, M. C. A., Coelho, C. A., Fernandes, B. S., et al. (2018) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2018.05.020 · Cited by 302 · see citing works
“05 for one among multiple analyses for only some quartiles (Sequeira et al., 2017).”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationDo we need physical activity guidelines for mental health: What does the evidence tell us?
Teychenne, M. J., White, R. L., Richards, J. A., Schuch, F. B., Rosenbaum, S., & Bennie, J. A. (2019) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2019.100315 · Cited by 302 · see citing works
Self-citationWolf, S., Seiffer, B., Zeibig, J., Welkerling, J., Brokmeier, L. L., Atrott, B., Ehring, T. W., & Schuch, F. B. (2021) · Sports Medicine · doi:10.1007/s40279-021-01468-z · Cited by 308 · see citing works
“These findings are in line with results of recent meta-analyses showing that those with higher PA levels were 17% less likely of developing depression [21] and 26% less likely to develop anxiety”
BackgroundResultSelf-citationSchuch, F. B., Bulzing, R. A. V., Meyer, J. D., Vancampfort, D., Firth, J., Stubbs, B., Grabovac, I., Willeit, P., Tavares, V. D. D. O., Calegaro, V. C., et al. (2020) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113339 · Cited by 297 · see citing works
Self-citationMoving to Beat Anxiety: Epidemiology and Therapeutic Issues with Physical Activity for Anxiety
Kandola, A., Vancampfort, D., Herring, M., Rebar, A., Hallgren, M., Firth, J., & Stubbs, B. (2018) · Current Psychiatry Reports · doi:10.1007/s11920-018-0923-x · Cited by 291 · see citing works
Self-citationFaulkner, J., O’Brien, W. J., McGrane, B., Wadsworth, D., Batten, J. C., Askew, C. D., Badenhorst, C. E., Byrd, E. K., Coulter, M., Draper, N., et al. (2020) · Journal of science and medicine in sport · doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2020.11.016 · Cited by 278 · see citing works
The Role of Exercise in Preventing and Treating Depression
Schuch, F. B., & Stubbs, B. (2019) · Current Sports Medicine Reports · doi:10.1249/jsr.0000000000000620 · Cited by 272 · see citing works
“The odds for those completing the 150 min of moderate to vigorous PA per week were decreased by about 22% (21).”
BackgroundInfluentialSelf-citationWilke, J., Mohr, L., Tenforde, A. S., Édouard, P., FOSSATI, C., González‐Gross, M., Sánchez-Ramírez, C., Laíño, F., Tan, B., Pillay, J. D., et al. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18052235 · Cited by 282 · see citing works
Martland, R., Mondelli, V., Gaughran, F., & Stubbs, B. (2020) · Journal of Sports Sciences · doi:10.1080/02640414.2019.1706829 · Cited by 253 · see citing works
“Physical activity (PA) and structured exercise have a plethora of health benefits in healthy individuals and those with physical and mental illnesses (Daskalopoulou et al., 2017; Piercy et al., 2018; Schuch et al., 2018).”
BackgroundSelf-citationIzquierdo, M., de Souto Barreto, P., Arai, H., Bischoff-Ferrari, H. A., Cadore, E. L., Cesari, M., Chen, L.-K., Coen, P. M., Courneya, K. S., Duque, G., et al. (2025) · The Journal of nutrition, health and aging · doi:10.1016/j.jnha.2024.100401 · Cited by 273 · see citing works
Predicting Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety Using Smartphone and Wearable Data
Moshe, I., Terhorst, Y., Opoku Asare, K., Sander, L. B., Ferreira, D., Baumeister, H., Mohr, D. C., & Pulkki-Råback, L. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.625247 · Cited by 261 · see citing works
“There is a large body of research demonstrating the relationship between physical activity and mental health (22–26).”
BackgroundPhysical activity, exercise, and mental disorders: it is time to move on
Schuch, F. B., & Vancampfort, D. (2021) · Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy · doi:10.47626/2237-6089-2021-0237 · Cited by 251 · see citing works
Self-citationThompson, W. R., Sallis, R. E., Joy, E. A., Jaworski, C. A., Stuhr, R. M., & Trilk, J. L. (2020) · American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine · doi:10.1177/1559827620912192 · Cited by 244 · see citing works
Exercise, brain plasticity, and depression
Zhao, J., Jiang, W., Wang, X., Cai, Z., Liu, Z., & Liu, G. (2020) · CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics · doi:10.1111/cns.13385 · Cited by 241 · see citing works
Choi, K. W., Stein, M. B., Nishimi, K. M., Ge, T., Coleman, J. R. I., Chen, C., Ratanatharathorn, A. D., Zheutlin, A. B., Dunn, E. C., Breen, G. D., et al. (2020) · American Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.19111158 · Cited by 238 · see citing works
Jacob, L., Tully, M. A., Barnett, Y., Sánchez, G. F. L., Butler, L., Schuch, F. B., López‐Bueno, R., McDermott, D. T., Firth, J., Grabovac, I., et al. (2020) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2020.100345 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
Self-citationExercise interventions for the prevention of depression: a systematic review of meta-analyses
Hu, M. X., Turner, D. T., Generaal, E., Bos, D., Ikram, M. K., Ikram, M. A., Cuijpers, P. J., & Penninx, B. W. J. H. (2020) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-020-09323-y · Cited by 234 · see citing works
Gómez‐Donoso, C., Sánchez‐Villegas, A., Martínez‐González, M. Á., Gea, A., Mendonça, R. D. D., Lahortiga‐Ramos, F., & Bes‐Rastrollo, M. (2019) · European Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1007/s00394-019-01970-1 · Cited by 231 · see citing works
“A remarkable result obtained in our analysis suggests that the effect of a high UPF consumption on depression could be particularly detrimental among individuals with low levels of physical activity during leisure time, which may be due to the anti-inflammatory and beneficial neurochemical effects of physical activity…”
Master, H., Annis, J., Huang, S., Beckman, J. A., Ratsimbazafy, F., Marginean, K., Carroll, R., Natarajan, K., Harrell, F. E., Roden, D. M., et al. (2022) · Nature Medicine · doi:10.1038/s41591-022-02012-w · Cited by 221 · see citing works
Promoting Mental Health and Wellness in Youth Through Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Sleep
Hosker, D. K., Elkins, R. M., & Potter, M. P. (2019) · Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America · doi:10.1016/j.chc.2018.11.010 · Cited by 215 · see citing works
Passive Versus Mentally Active Sedentary Behaviors and Depression
Hallgren, M. Å., Dunstan, D. W., & Owen, N. G. (2019) · Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews · doi:10.1249/jes.0000000000000211 · Cited by 186 · see citing works
“Low levels of physical activity are consistently associated with an elevated risk of depression, whereas structured physical activity (exercise) is an effective treatment for mood disorders (2,3).”
BackgroundSelf-citationWhen Pandemic Hits: Exercise Frequency and Subjective Well-Being During COVID-19 Pandemic
Brand, R., Timme, S., & Nosrat, S. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.570567 · Cited by 197 · see citing works
“A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies suggests that the protective effects of physical activity against depression are comparable in youth, adults, and the elderly population across the globe (Schuch et al., 2018).”
BackgroundPhysical Activity Interventions to Alleviate Depressive Symptoms in Children and Adolescents
Recchia, F., Bernal, J. D. K., Fong, D., Wong, S. H., Chung, P., Chan, D. K. C., Capio, C. M., Yu, C. C.-W., Wong, S. W. S., Sit, C. H. P., et al. (2023) · Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine · doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.5090 · Cited by 185 · see citing works
Marx, W., Manger, S., Blencowe, M., Murray, G., Ho, F. Y., Lawn, S., Blumenthal, J. A., Schuch, F. B., Stubbs, B., Ruusunen, A. A., et al. (2022) · The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1080/15622975.2022.2112074 · Cited by 189 · see citing works
“This is consistent with metaanalyses of cohort studies (Schuch et al. 2018).”
ResultSelf-citationKandola, A., Ashdown-Franks, G., Stubbs, B., Osborn, D. P. J., & Hayes, J. F. (2019) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2019.07.088 · Cited by 172 · see citing works
Self-citationSedentary behaviour and risk of anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Allen, M. S., Walter, E. E., & Swann, C. (2019) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.08.081 · Cited by 192 · see citing works
The multifaceted benefits of walking for healthy aging: from Blue Zones to molecular mechanisms
Ungvari, Z., Fazekas-Pongor, V., Csiszar, A., & Kunutsor, S. (2023) · GeroScience · doi:10.1007/s11357-023-00873-8 · Cited by 161 · see citing works
Physical Exercise in Major Depression: Reducing the Mortality Gap While Improving Clinical Outcomes
Belvederi Murri, M., Ekkekakis, P., Magagnoli, M., Zampogna, D., Cattedra, S., Capobianco, L., Serafini, G., Calcagno, P., Zanetidou, S., & Amore, M. (2019) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00762 · Cited by 163 · see citing works
Roles of myokines in exercise-induced improvement of neuropsychiatric function
Kim, S., Choi, J., Moon, S., Park, D., Kwak, H., & Kang, J. (2019) · Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00424-019-02253-8 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
“In addition to the memory and cognitive function of the brain, exercise is likely to be beneficial to alleviate depression and anxiety [25, 113], although not all individuals respond to exercise intervention in human [129].”
BackgroundRosenbaum, S., Morell, R., Abdel‐Baki, A., Ahmadpanah, M., Anilkumar, T. V., Baie, L., Bauman, A. E., Bender, S., Han, J. B., Brand, S., et al. (2020) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-020-2473-0 · Cited by 164 · see citing works
Self-citationDishman, R. K., McDowell, C. P., & Herring, M. P. (2021) · British Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1136/bjsports-2020-103140 · Cited by 162 · see citing works
Rykov, Y., Thach, T.-Q., Bojic, I., Christopoulos, G., & Car, J. (2021) · JMIR mHealth and uHealth · doi:10.2196/24872 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
“Meta-analyses of prospective cohort studies showed that physical activity had a protective effect against the future onset of depression [17], while sedentary time increased the risk of depression [18].”
Sarris, J. J., Thomson, R. J., Hargraves, F., Eaton, M., de Manincor, M., Veronese, N., Solmi, M., Stubbs, B., Yung, A. R., & Firth, J. (2020) · BMC Medicine · doi:10.1186/s12916-020-01813-5 · Cited by 147 · see citing works
“Key analyses to date tend to explore the association with physical activity [4] and also dietary quality [5], although the relationships with other modifiable lifestyle elements have been generally less explored.”
BackgroundSelf-citationLiang, J., Huang, S., Jiang, N., Kakaer, A., Chen, Y., Liu, M., Pu, Y., Huang, S.-Y., Pu, X.-Y., Zhao, Y., et al. (2023) · JMIR Public Health and Surveillance · doi:10.2196/45776 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
“In line with previous studies, our results showed that a single effect of PA or DQ was significantly associated with mental health [40,41].”
ResultFinancial incentives for physical activity in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis
Mitchell, M. S., Orstad, S. L., Biswas, A., Oh, P. I., Jay, M., Pakosh, M. T., & Faulkner, G. (2020) · British Journal of Sports Medicine · doi:10.1136/bjsports-2019-100633 · Cited by 143 · see citing works
Bone, J. K., Bu, F., Fluharty, M., Paul, E., Sonke, J. K., & Fancourt, D. E. (2022) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114703 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
An integrative collaborative care model for people with mental illness and physical comorbidities
Ee, C., Lake, J., Firth, J., Hargraves, F., de Manincor, M., Meade, T., Marx, W., & Sarris, J. J. (2020) · International Journal of Mental Health Systems · doi:10.1186/s13033-020-00410-6 · Cited by 153 · see citing works
Self-citationKandola, A., & Stubbs, B. (2020) · Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology · doi:10.1007/978-981-15-1792-1_23 · Cited by 140 · see citing works
Self-citationFeter, N., Caputo, E., Doring, I. R., Leite, J. S., Cassuriaga, J., Reichert, F., Silva, M. D. D., Coombes, J., & Rombaldi, A. (2020) · Public Health · doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2020.11.013 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Hallgren, M. Å., Nguyen, T.-T.-D., Owen, N. G., Stubbs, B., Vancampfort, D., Lundin, A., Dunstan, D. W., Bellocco, R., & Lagerros, Y. T. (2019) · The British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.2019.60 · Cited by 134 · see citing works
“2,29 Taken together, and seen in the context of existing research, these findings suggest potential mental health benefits of replacing passive sedentary behaviours with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.”
Self-citationThe impact of exercise on depression: how moving makes your brain and body feel better
Hossain, M. N., Lee, J., Choi, H., Kwak, Y.-S., & Kim, J. (2024) · Physical Activity and Nutrition · doi:10.20463/pan.2024.0015 · Cited by 137 · see citing works
“Moreover, the high cost of medication and the risk of addiction and dependency are concerns associated with antidepressant medication 2 .”
BackgroundPhysical activity and the prevention of depression: A cohort study
Kim, S. Y., Park, J., Lee, M. Y., Oh, K., Shin, D., & Shin, Y.-C. (2019) · General Hospital Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2019.07.010 · Cited by 128 · see citing works
Vancampfort, D., Stubbs, B., Firth, J., Damme, T. V., & Koyanagi, A. (2018) · International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity · doi:10.1186/s12966-018-0708-y · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Self-citationHallgren, M. Å., Owen, N. G., Stubbs, B., Zeebari, Z., Vancampfort, D., Schuch, F. B., Bellocco, R., Dunstan, D. W., & Lagerros, Y. T. (2018) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.08.020 · Cited by 131 · see citing works
Self-citationPhysical activity and mental health
Stubbs, B., Vancampfort, D., Smith, L., Rosenbaum, S., Schuch, F. B., & Firth, J. (2018) · The Lancet Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(18)30343-2 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
Self-citationPhysical Activity and Mental Health in Undergraduate Students
Rodríguez‐Romo, G., Acebes-Sánchez, J., García-Merino, S., Muñoz, M. G., Blanco-García, C., & Díez-Vega, I. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20010195 · Cited by 114 · see citing works
“the other hand, two meta-analyses conclude that PA can confer protection against the emergence of depression [14,15].”
BackgroundImboden, C., Gerber, M., Beck, J., Holsboer-Trachsler, E., Pühse, U., & Hatzinger, M. (2020) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.07.052 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
Associations of physical activity with positive mental health: A population-based study
Tamminen, N., Reinikainen, J., Appelqvist‐Schmidlechner, K., Borodulin, K., Mäki-Opas, T. E., & Solin, P. (2020) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2020.100319 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
Wanjau, M. N., Möller, H., Haigh, F., Milat, A., Hayek, R., Lucas, P., & Veerman, J. L. (2023) · AJPM Focus · doi:10.1016/j.focus.2023.100074 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
Efficacy of Regular Exercise During Pregnancy on the Prevention of Postpartum Depression
Coll, C. V. N., Domingues, M. R., Stein, A. L., da Silva, B. G. C., Bassani, D. G., Hartwig, F. P., Crochemore‐Silva, I., da Silveira, M. F., da Silva, S. G., & Bertoldi, A. D. (2019) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.6861 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Lifestyle Behavior and Mental Health in Early Adolescence
Loewen, O. K., Maximova, K., Ekwaru, J. P., Faught, E. L., Asbridge, M., Öhinmaa, A., & Veugelers, P. J. (2019) · PEDIATRICS · doi:10.1542/peds.2018-3307 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Zhao, Y., Liu, Y., Sahakian, B. J., Langley, C., Zhang, W., Kuo, K., Li, Z., Gan, Y., Li, Y., Zhao, Y. W., et al. (2023) · Nature Mental Health · doi:10.1038/s44220-023-00120-1 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Deng, C.-H., Wang, J.-Q., Zhu, L.-M., Liu, H.-W., Guo, Y., Peng, X., Shao, J., & Xia, W. (2020) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/21301 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
“Strong evidence from a meta-analysis supported that exercise can protect populations from depression regardless of age and geographical region [28], which may also apply to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
BackgroundBriguglio, M., Vitale, J. A., Galentino, R., Banfi, G., Dina, C. Z., Bona, A. R., Panzica, G., Porta, M., Dell’Osso, B. M., & Glick, I. D. (2020) · Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment · doi:10.2147/ndt.s229206 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Ashdown‐Franks, G., Stubbs, B., Koyanagi, A., Schuch, F. B., Firth, J., Veronese, N., & Vancampfort, D. (2018) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.09.036 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Self-citationPhysical activity and prevention of mental health complications: An umbrella review
Rahmati, M., Lee, S., Yon, D. K., Lee, S. W., Udeh, R., McEvoy, M., Oh, H. Y., Butler, L. T., Keyes, H., Barnett, Y., et al. (2024) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105641 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Effects of exercise on symptoms of anxiety in primary care patients: a randomized controlled trial
Henriksson, M., Wall, A., Nyberg, J., Adiels, M., Lundin, K., Bergh, Y., Eggertsen, R., Danielsson, L., Kuhn, H. G., Westerlund, M., et al. (2022) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.10.006 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
How does the skeletal muscle communicate with the brain in health and disease?
Isaac, A. R., Lima‐Filho, R. A. S., & Lourenco, M. V. (2021) · Neuropharmacology · doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108744 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Bennie, J. A., Teychenne, M. J., De Cocker, K., & Biddle, S. J. H. (2019) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.02.022 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
“Convincing epidemiological evidence shows that physical activity can be used to prevent (Mammen and Faulkner, 2013; Schuch et al., 2018; McDowell et al., 2018a) and treat depression and/or depressive symptoms in clinical and non-clinical populations (Rebar et al.”
BackgroundSmith, L., Jacob, L., Butler, L., Schuch, F. B., Barnett, Y., Grabovac, I., Veronese, N., Caperchione, C. M., Sánchez, G. F. L., Meyer, J. D., et al. (2020) · BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine · doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2020-000850 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
“1 Regular and sustained participation in physical activity is associated with almost every facet of health across the lifespan 2–4 and importantly the prevention of all-cause early mortality.”
Self-citationKandola, A. A., Cruz, B. D. P., Osborn, D., Stubbs, B., Choi, K. W., & Hayes, J. (2021) · BMC Medicine · doi:10.1186/s12916-021-02007-3 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
“88) lower odds of depression than low total physical activity [6], whereas our results demonstrate the importance of considering how the time is replaced as reducing daily sedentary behaviour by an hour was associated with a larger effect size (OR = 0.”
BackgroundResultSelf-citationLv, S., & Ru, S. (2021) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0259300 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Pascoe, M. C., & Parker, A. G. (2019) · Early Intervention in Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/eip.12737 · Cited by 91 · see citing works
“depression in young people (Schuch et al., 2018). Brown, Pearson, Braithwaite, Brown, and Biddle (2013) similarly conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis and reported that physical activity interventions resulted in a small but significant reduction in depression”
BackgroundKleppang, A. L., Hartz, I., Thurston, M. N., & Hagquist, C. (2018) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-018-6257-0 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Physical Exercise and Health: A Focus on Its Protective Role in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Bonanni, R., Cariati, I., Tarantino, U., D’Arcangelo, G., & Tancredi, V. (2022) · Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology · doi:10.3390/jfmk7020038 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
“In recent years, a growing body of scientific evidence has demonstrated the broad effects of physical exercise on general brain health in animals and humans, especially for learning and memory processes, protection from neurodegeneration, and alleviation of depression [20,21].”
BackgroundHautekiet, P., Saenen, N. D., Demarest, S. S., Keune, H., Pelgrims, I., der Heyden, J. V., Clercq, E. M. D., & Nawrot, T. S. (2022) · Environmental Health · doi:10.1186/s12940-022-00839-x · Cited by 87 · see citing works
The Nature and Treatment of Pandemic-Related Psychological Distress
Sanderson, W. C., Arunagiri, V., Funk, A. P., Ginsburg, K. L., Krychiw, J. K., Limowski, A. R., Olesnycky, O. S., & Stout, Z. (2020) · Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy · doi:10.1007/s10879-020-09463-7 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
“However, physical activity promotes positive moods and can be protective against depression (Schuch et al. 2018) so becoming more active is very important.”
BackgroundCruz, B. D. P., Alfonso‐Rosa, R. M., McGregor, D., CHASTIN, S. F. M., Palarea‐Albaladejo, J., & Cruz, J. D. P. (2020) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.023 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Savage, M. J., Hennis, P. J., Magistro, D., Donaldson, J., Healy, L. C., & James, R. M. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph18062930 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
“Importantly, maintaining or increasing physical activity levels have previously been shown to be a successful strategy to mitigate reductions in physical and mental health [8,9].”
BackgroundCross-sectional and prospective relationship between physical activity and depression symptoms
Marques, A., Bordado, J., Peralta, M., Gouveia, É. R., Tesler, R., Demetriou, Y., & Gómez‐Baya, D. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-72987-4 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Yemiscigil, A., & Vlaev, I. (2021) · Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s10865-021-00220-2 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
“In including these covariates, our aim was to test whether sense of purpose in life could have a unique predictive relationship with physical activity above and beyond these related measures that have been shown to have a significant relationship with physical activity (McDowell et al., 2019; Schuch et al., 2018; Zhan…”
BackgroundRösel, I., Bauer, L. L., Seiffer, B., Deinhart, C., Atrott, B., Sudeck, G., Hautzinger, M., & Wolf, S. (2022) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114559 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
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Effects of exercise on depression and anxiety in persons living with HIV: A meta-analysis
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Self-citationBest management of irritable bowel syndrome
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“It is widely accepted that physical exercise plays an important role in maintaining good physical and mental health, 40–42 and that benefit is derived from even small increases in physical activity.”
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“…evidence from observational studies indicating that individuals with higher levels of physical activity have lower odds of developing depression [20]; for example, those exercising for at least four hours per week had 18% lower risk of depression, with a 25% reduction in those who exercised for…”
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- Authors
- Schuch, F. B., Vancampfort, D., Firth, J., Rosenbaum, S., Ward, P. B., Silva, E. S., Hallgren, M., Ponce De Leon, A., Dunn, A. L., Deslandes, A. C., Fleck, M. P., Carvalho, A. F., & Stubbs, B.
- Affiliations
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (BR)
- From La Salle University, Canoas, Brazil; the School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy, and Dance and the Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; KU Leuven–University of Leuven, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, and University Psychiatric Center, Leuven-Kortenberg, Belgium; the NICM Health Research Institute, School of Science and Health, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia; the School of Psychiatry, University of New South...
- ORCID
- Venue
- American Journal of Psychiatry
- Published
- 2018-07-01
- Volume
- 175
- Issue
- 7
- Pages
- 631-648
- ISSN
- 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
- 1535-7228
- OpenAlex
- W2803008851
- Semantic Scholar
- 4574bb06e26a873ebb0a8607fd5719c390dbe21e
- Cited by
- 1,763
- References
- 84
- Citations by year
- 2026: 270 · 2025: 282 · 2024: 218 · 2023: 254 · 2022: 240 · 2021: 204 · 2020: 158 · 2019: 104 · 2018: 30
- FWCI
- 16.24
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- lirias.kuleuven.be
- Licence
- other-oa
- Locations
- American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Lirias (KU Leuven) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Figshare (submittedVersion)
- Research Portal (King's College London) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Research Explorer (The University of Manchester) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (ICA-CL-2017-03-001, APP1123336, NIHR-INF-0685)
- Department of Health and Social Care
- King's College London
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Physical Activity and Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Keywords
- physical activity, depression, incident depression, protective effect, youth, adults, older adults, depressive symptoms, major depressive disorder, age differences, geographic region
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Depression, Female, Humans, Male, Prospective Studies, Risk, Exercise, Incidence, Odds Ratio
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