The intervention effect of long-term exercise on depression and anxiety in college students: a three-level meta-analysis

Abstract

Background

Mental health issues, especially depression and anxiety, are prevalent among college students. Long-term exercise has been shown to improve depression and anxiety in college students. Therefore, this study aims to systematically and comprehensively evaluate the intervention effect of long-term exercise on depression and anxiety in college students using a three-level meta-analysis.

Methods

A computer-based search was conducted in five databases—China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science—for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of long-term exercise interventions on depression and anxiety in college students. The search covered all records from the inception of each database up to January 11, 2025. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the PEDro scale, and the evidence quality was evaluated using GRADEpro. A three-level meta-analysis with a random-effects model was performed using the metafor package in R 4.3.0.

Results

In total, 36 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Long-term exercise significantly improved depression (g = -0.89, 95% CI [-1.23, -0.54], p < 0.001) and anxiety (g = -0.64, 95% CI [-0.96, -0.32], p < 0.001) in college students. Exercise type, time, frequency, cycle, and questionnaire type were not found to be moderators (all p > 0.05). The evidence quality, as assessed by GRADEpro, was rated as high.

Conclusion

Long-term exercise can improve depression and anxiety in college students. However, future studies should use more rigorous methodologies and explore the intervention effects of various exercise parameters on depression and anxiety in this population.