A recent study by NTNU researchers reveals that increased physical activity in teens aged 14-18 significantly reduces the risk of developing depression symptoms, highlighting the critical role of exercise in adolescent mental health.
Young people who consistently engage in physical activity have a lower risk of developing depression symptoms, according to a new study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The research, spearheaded by Silje Steinsbekk, a professor in NTNU’s Department of Psychology, highlights the protective benefits of physical exercise for mental health, particularly during late adolescence.
“Young people who are less physically active over time have an increased risk of developing symptoms of depression,” Steinsbekk said in a news release.
This significant finding pertains to teenagers aged 14-16 and 16-18, underscoring that both daily physical activity and intense exercise are particularly beneficial in safeguarding against depression.
The study has been published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.
The researchers monitored a large cohort of children and adolescents over several years as part of the Trondheim Early Secure Study. Physical activity levels were measured biannually using accelerometers, while clinical interviews assessed the participants’ mental health.
The study followed 873 participants from age 6 to 18, gathering data across seven time points: ages 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18.
The researchers also examined if factors like self-perceived physical abilities, body image and sports participation influenced the relationship between physical activity and depression.
“We also investigated whether belief in one’s own physical abilities, body image and sports participation had an impact on the association between physical activity and depression,” Steinsbekk added.
Steinsbekk and her team found that physical activity appears to shield against depression during late adolescence, although this protective effect did not extend to early adolescence.
“Although we found that physical activity seems to protect against depression symptoms in adolescence, this did not apply to young adolescents aged 10-14,” Steinsbekk added.
Interestingly, the study also revealed a contrasting pattern for younger participants.
“However, we found an opposite correlation from 10-12 and 14-16 years: Those who had more symptoms of depression were more likely to become less physically active,” added Steinsbekk.
The conclusion is clear.
“Young people who increase their physical activity level from the age of 14 and a few years later have a lower risk of developing symptoms of depression than they would otherwise have. For this age group, it may appear that physical activity protects against symptoms of depression,” Steinsbekk added.
The study did not find any correlation between sedentary behavior and depression, nor did the results differ between genders. These findings emphasize the critical importance of promoting physical activity among teens to bolster their mental health during formative years.