The Effectiveness of Physical Exercise as an Intervention for Depression: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and there is growing interest in accessible, non-pharmacological interventions to complement established treatments. This systematic review synthesised the empirical evidence on the effectiveness of physical exercise as an intervention for depression. Following an established reporting framework, the review searched major biomedical and psychological databases, applied predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, screened the retrieved records, and synthesised the eligible studies narratively. The synthesised evidence indicates that physical exercise produces moderate reductions in depressive symptoms relative to control conditions, an effect that is attenuated but generally remains significant when analyses are restricted to methodologically stronger trials and adjusted for publication bias. The magnitude of benefit varies with features of the intervention and population: supervised, moderate-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise of adequate dose and duration tends to yield the most consistent effects, and exercise appears beneficial both as a standalone intervention and as an adjunct to conventional treatment. Evidence also supports a preventive role, with higher physical activity associated with reduced risk of subsequent depression. Methodological limitations across the primary studies, including heterogeneity, small samples, and risk of bias, temper the strength of these conclusions. The review concludes that physical exercise is a promising and broadly beneficial intervention for depression, and it offers implications for clinical practice, public health, and future research.