Frontiers in sports and active living · 2026 · 系統性回顧＋統合分析（依標題推測）
Effects of exercise on depression and anxiety in university students: a systematic review and meta-analysis
運動心理與心理健康 · 憂鬱症與焦慮症
中文閱讀摘要
運動對大學生的抑鬱和焦慮有顯著正面影響。
原始摘要
Background
Although the positive effect of exercise on mental health is well known, its application in the treatment of mental health challenges among students has been limited and lacks systematic evaluation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cardiorespiratory and muscular strength exercise on mental health among students in higher education facing mental health challenges.
Methods
Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was conducted in six databases (Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, and APA PsycInfo via Ovid, CINAHL and SPORTDiscus via EBSCOhost, and Scopus) up to 8 April 2025. The search strategy included terms for the population (university students), intervention (exercise), and outcomes (mental health). Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental studies with a control group investigating the effect of cardiorespiratory and muscular strength exercise on mental health outcomes among students in higher education facing mental health challenges. Two independent reviewers performed screening and data extraction. Data were pooled in random-effects models, and standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CI were calculated (SMDs: 0.2-0.4 = small, 0.5-0.7 = medium, and ≥0.8 = large effect sizes). Certainty of the evidence was evaluated according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.
Results
Of 6,173 records screened, 11 RCTs and four quasi-experimental trials were included, comprising a total of 659 students. There was low-certainty evidence for large effects of exercise on symptoms of depression [SMD=-1.05 (-1.49, -0.60), p < 0.001] and anxiety [SMD=-0.78 (-1.25, -0.31), p < 0.01]. There was very low-certainty evidence for the effect of exercise on anxiety sensitivity.
Conclusion
The results suggest medium to large effects of cardiorespiratory and muscular strength exercise on symptoms of depression and anxiety among students in higher education facing mental health challenges. These forms of exercise may be considered as potential treatment modalities for mental health challenges within the student health services.
Systematic review registration
PROSPERO CRD42023398623.
至 Europe PMC 閱讀完整來源 ↗ · 擷取日期 2026-10-19
書目、來源與全文狀態
- DOI
- 10.3389/fspor.2026.1708741
- PMID／PMCID
- 42293996 / PMC13260482
- 作者
- Sveaas SH, Brandtzæg M, Smedslund G, Rognlien MØ, Danielsen KK
- 首次發表日期
- 2026-05-29Europe PMC 提供，部分日期可能依年份或月份推定。
- 卷／期／頁碼或文章編號
- 8 ／ 期未提供 ／ 1708741
- 書目來源與查核日期
- Europe PMC · 2026-10-19僅核對書目欄位與來源連結；不代表已評讀研究品質。
- 全文與授權
- 來源列有免費全文（查核 2026-10-19），未逐篇測試 PDF 下載。 來源授權標示：cc by。
可回溯引用
Sveaas SH, Brandtzæg M, Smedslund G, Rognlien MØ, Danielsen KK. Effects of exercise on depression and anxiety in university students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in sports and active living. 2026;8:1708741. PMID: 42293996. PMCID: PMC13260482. doi:10.3389/fspor.2026.1708741
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