Physical fitness linked to better mental health in young people

New study reinforces existing research suggesting exercise may protect against anxiety, depression and attention problems.

Physical fitness in children and adolescents may protect against the development of depressive symptoms, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to a study published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics.
The study also found that better performance in cardiovascular activities, strength and muscular endurance were each associated with greater protection against such mental health problems. Researchers deemed this link “dose-dependent,” suggesting that a fitter child or adolescent may therefore be less likely to suffer from a mental health disorder.
These findings come amid a wave of mental health diagnoses among children and adolescents, in the United States and abroad, that have prompted efforts to understand and curb the problem.
ImageIn one study, improved performance in activities such as 800-meter running, squats, and standing jumps was associated with a lower risk of mental health disorders.Credit... Michelle Gustafson for The New York Times
The study
The new study, led by researchers in Taiwan, has compared data from two large datasets: the Taiwan National Student Fitness Tests, which measure students' physical performance in schools, and the National Insurance Research Databases, which record medical claims , diagnose prescriptions and other medical information. The researchers did not have access to the students' names, but were able to use the anonymized data to compare students' fitness and mental health outcomes.
Risk of mental health disorders was weighted against three measures of physical fitness: cardio fitness, measured by a student's time in an 800-meter run; muscular endurance, indicated by the number of sit-ups performed; and muscle power, measured by standing broad jump.
Improved performance in each activity was associated with a lower risk of mental health disorders. For example, a 30 second decrease of 800 moi...

Health Apr 30, 2024 0 20 Add to Reading List

Physical fitness linked to better mental health in young people

New study reinforces existing research suggesting exercise may protect against anxiety, depression and attention problems.

Physical fitness in children and adolescents may protect against the development of depressive symptoms, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to a study published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics.

The study also found that better performance in cardiovascular activities, strength and muscular endurance were each associated with greater protection against such mental health problems. Researchers deemed this link “dose-dependent,” suggesting that a fitter child or adolescent may therefore be less likely to suffer from a mental health disorder.

These findings come amid a wave of mental health diagnoses among children and adolescents, in the United States and abroad, that have prompted efforts to understand and curb the problem.

Children running in a field outside a small school.

The study

The new study, led by researchers in Taiwan, has compared data from two large datasets: the Taiwan National Student Fitness Tests, which measure students' physical performance in schools, and the National Insurance Research Databases, which record medical claims , diagnose prescriptions and other medical information. The researchers did not have access to the students' names, but were able to use the anonymized data to compare students' fitness and mental health outcomes.

Risk of mental health disorders was weighted against three measures of physical fitness: cardio fitness, measured by a student's time in an 800-meter run; muscular endurance, indicated by the number of sit-ups performed; and muscle power, measured by standing broad jump.

Improved performance in each activity was associated with a lower risk of mental health disorders. For example, a 30 second decrease of 800 moi...