A major review of research has confirmed that regular physical activity significantly reduces symptoms of depression and is comparable in effectiveness to psychotherapy and medication. The study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM).

The authors conducted a “meta-meta-analysis,” one of the most rigorous types of scientific review. Instead of performing a new experiment, they combined data from existing meta-analyses. The final sample included 63 review articles, covering 81 meta-analyses, 1,079 individual studies, and data from 79,551 participants of various ages.

All types of exercise were beneficial, but aerobic activities—such as running, brisk walking, and cycling—showed the greatest effect. Social context also mattered: group sessions and supervised training produced stronger benefits than individual workouts. Researchers suggest that a sense of belonging and support enhances the antidepressant effects of exercise.

The authors noted that the impact of physical activity is comparable to psychotherapy and antidepressant medication. This supports the idea of considering exercise not just as part of a healthy lifestyle, but as a legitimate clinical intervention.

According to the researchers, the next challenge is implementation, not proving efficacy. The main obstacle is motivation: people with depression often find it difficult to start and maintain regular physical activity.