Exercise outperforms medication for depression and anxiety, study finds

Exercise outperforms medication for depression and anxiety

Cardio activities like running, swimming, and dancing are especially effective at easing symptoms of depression and anxiety, according to a large-scale review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The analysis found that all forms of exercise performed as well as, or better than, medication and talking therapies.

The benefits were seen regardless of a person's age or sex. For depression, exercise done in supervised or group settings provided the greatest benefit.

For anxiety, shorter programs lasting up to 8 weeks and involving lower intensity activity were most helpful. The findings add robust evidence that exercise should be considered a first-line treatment.

How the research was conducted

Researchers conducted an umbrella review, analyzing pooled data from randomized controlled trials published through July 2025. They focused on studies where structured exercise was compared to other activities, a placebo, or no treatment.

For depression, the synthesis included 57 pooled analyses covering 800 individual studies and 57,930 participants aged 10 to 90. For anxiety, it included 24 pooled analyses from 258 studies involving 19,368 participants aged 18 to 67.

All exercise types were included and categorized:

• Aerobic (e.g., running, swimming)
• Resistance training (e.g., strength exercises)
• Mind-body practices (e.g., yoga, tai chi)
• Mixed programs combining formats

Exercise benefits are significant and wide-ranging

When results were combined, exercise showed a medium-sized reduction in depression symptoms and a small-to-medium reduction in anxiety symptoms. The strongest improvements were seen in young adults aged 18–30 and women who had recently given birth.

All exercise formats improved mental health. For depression, aerobic activity in supervised or group settings produced the largest benefits. For anxiety, aerobic, resistance, mind-body, and mixed programs each had a medium-sized positive effect.

The researchers concluded the benefits were "comparable with, or exceeding, traditional pharmacological or psychological interventions." They emphasized that group and supervised formats provided the most substantial gains, highlighting the role of social factors.

Exercise as a first-line mental health treatment

The researchers acknowledge limitations, including varied definitions of exercise intensity and program length across studies. Data on exercise effects across every life stage was also relatively limited.

Despite this, they argue the evidence is robust enough to support exercise as a core intervention. "Given the cost effectiveness, accessibility, and additional physical health benefits of exercise, these results underscore the potential for exercise as a first line intervention," the team wrote.

This is particularly relevant where traditional mental health treatments are less accessible. The study underscores that tailored exercise programs, prescribed with specific characteristics in mind, can be a powerful tool for millions affected by these conditions globally.