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Zhang H, Hashim SB, Huang D, Zhang B. The effect of physical exercise on depression among college students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ 2024; 12:e18111. [PMID: 39329135 PMCID: PMC11426321 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.18111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective The goal of the present research was to evaluate the effectiveness of physical exercise intervention in enhancing psychological well-being and decreasing symptoms of depression among college students, adopting a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methodology The study was performed by searching four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library) to determine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exploring the impacts of physical exercise therapies among college students with symptoms of depression. The sequential execution of a meta-analyses, subgroup analyses, and publication bias analyses was accomplished utilizing the software package RevMan version 5.3. Results There were eight articles included. This research demonstrated a significant impact (d = -0.75, P < 0.05), indicating that physical exercise has a substantial impact on decreasing or mitigating depression. The subgroup analyses revealed that interventions involving physical exercise workouts lasting 12 weeks or longer (d = -0.93, P < 0.05), with physical exercise sessions lasting between 30 and 60 min (d = -0.77, P < 0.05), and with physical exercise performed minimum of three times a week (d = -0.90, P < 0.05) were the most effective in reducing symptoms of depression. Conclusion Physical exercise interventions have a beneficial impact on reducing depression among college students. The optimal mode was discovered to be college students participating in each session for a duration of 30 to 60 min, at least three times per week, and for more than 12 weeks. College students are encouraged to cultivate a consistent and long-term physical exercise routine to sustain their physical and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haopeng Zhang
- School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | | | - Dandan Huang
- School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia
| | - Bowen Zhang
- School of Faculty of Education and Liberal Studies, City University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Gaia JWP, Schuch FB, Ferreira RW, Souza EDL, Ferreira VMS, Pires DA. Effects of high-intensity interval training on depressive and anxiety symptoms in healthy individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2024; 34:e14618. [PMID: 38566446 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Although evidence regarding the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on mental health has increased in recent years, there is still no consensus regarding the effects of HIIT on the symptoms of depression and anxiety in a healthy population. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to investigate the effects of HIIT on depressive and/or anxiety symptoms in healthy individuals. The following four databases were searched: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and PsycINFO. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis based on standardized mean difference (SMD). The risk of bias was assessed using the RoB 2.0 tool, and the certainty of the evidence was evaluated based on recommendations GRADE. Eight RCTs evaluating 471 participants (81% female) were considered eligible for inclusion. The results of the meta-analysis showed that HIIT-based interventions had no significant effect on reducing anxiety (SMD = -0.17; 95% CI: -0.53, 0.19; p = 0.27) and depressive symptoms (SMD = -0.38; 95% CI: -1.06, 0.30; p = 0.17) compared with the passive control group. In conclusion, HIIT does not improve symptoms of depression and anxiety in healthy individuals. This finding is based on evidence of very low certainty. Therefore, the evidence is still not consistent enough to support HIIT as a viable strategy to reduce both outcomes because of the limited number of included studies and the overall quality of evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhonatan Wélington Pereira Gaia
- Graduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, Pará, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Felipe Barreto Schuch
- Department of Sports Methods and Techniques, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
- Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Providência, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Weyll Ferreira
- Graduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, Pará, Brazil
| | - Edielen de Lima Souza
- Graduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, Pará, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Alvarez Pires
- Graduate Program in Human Movement Sciences, Federal University of Pará, Castanhal, Pará, Brazil
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Donnelly S, Penny K, Kynn M. The effectiveness of physical activity interventions in improving higher education students' mental health: A systematic review. Health Promot Int 2024; 39:daae027. [PMID: 38563387 PMCID: PMC10985680 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daae027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Traditional interventions aiming to improve students' mental health and quality of life include meditation or canine therapy. The development of physical activity-related interventions has increased over the past decade. We aimed to review all studies using physical activity for improving the mental health and quality of life in higher education students whilst describing the interventions, measurements and effectiveness. A systematic search of six electronic databases including: ProQuest, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus and CENTRAL, was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Randomized or non-randomized controlled trial physical activity-related interventions involving higher education students aiming to improve their mental health and quality of life were included. Searches yielded 58 articles with interventions involving martial arts, sport, mind-body exercises and anaerobic exercises. Psychological measures varied across studies including the State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory and the Perceived Stress Scale. Over half of the studies included in this review (n = 36) were effective in improving students' mental health or quality of life. Findings from our review suggest that interventions aiming to be effective in improving students' mental health quality of life should aim to deliver moderate-vigorous intensity exercises such as dance or Pilates. This systematic review was based on a published protocol in PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42022325975).
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Donnelly
- The University of the West of Scotland, Division of Sport, Exercise and Health, Stephenson Place, Hamilton International Technology Park, South Lanarkshire G72 0LH, UK
| | - Kay Penny
- University of Aberdeen, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Mary Kynn
- Curtin University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Wark Avenue, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
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Burns RD, Bilic A, Bai Y, Brusseau TA, Lucero JE, King Jensen JL. Bidirectional associations of physical activity, sleep, and self-reported mental health in young adults participating in an online wellness intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1168702. [PMID: 37325310 PMCID: PMC10264583 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1168702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the bidirectional associations of physical activity (PA), sleep, and mental health in young adults participating in an online wellness intervention from October 2021 to April 2022. Methods Participants were a sample of undergraduate students from one US university (N = 89; 28.0% freshman; 73.0% female). The intervention was a 1-h health coaching session that was delivered either once or twice by peer health coaches on Zoom during COVID-19. The number of coaching sessions was determined by random allocation of participants to experimental groups. Lifestyle and mental health assessments were collected at two separate assessment timepoints after each session. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Weekday and weekend sleep were assessed by two one-item questionnaires and mental health was calculated from five items. Cross-lagged panel models (CLPMs) examined the crude bidirectional associations of PA, sleep, and mental health across four-time waves (i.e., T1 through T4). To control for individual unit effects and time-invariant covariates, linear dynamic panel-data estimation using maximum likelihood and structural equation modeling (ML-SEM) was also employed. Results ML-SEMs showed that mental health predicted future weekday sleep (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) and weekend sleep predicted future mental health (β = 0.11, p = 0.028). Although CLPMs showed significant associations between T2 PA and T3 mental health (β = 0.27, p = 0.002), no associations were observed when unit effects and time-invariant covariates were accounted for. Conclusion Self-reported mental health was a positive predictor of weekday sleep and weekend sleep positively predicted mental health during the online wellness intervention.
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Wang Y, Jia N, Zhou Y, Fu L, Fan L, Li B. A comparison of the effects of remote coaching HIIT training and combined exercise training on the physical and mental health of university students. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1182332. [PMID: 37251041 PMCID: PMC10213529 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1182332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim To compare the differences in the effects of based on remote coached high intensity interval training and combined exercise training on the physical and mental health of university students. Method Sixty university students were recruited from Shandong Normal University and randomly divided into HIIT group (n = 30) and AR group (n = 30), with the HIIT group using high-intensity interval training intervention and the AR group using combined exercise (aerobic combined with resistance) training intervention for 8 weeks. Mental health indicators, fitness indicators and body composition indicators were measured at the beginning and end of the intervention. Results After 8 weeks, among the mental health indicators, the results of the Symptom Self-Rating Scale (SCL-90) test showed a significant improvement in the HIIT group in terms of total score, somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, hostility, and psychoticism (p < 0.05); the AR group showed significant improvements in psychoticism (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups. The results of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale (PSQI) showed a significant difference in sleep efficiency in the HIIT group with an inverse improvement in scores; the AR group showed no significant improvement in each test item. The results of the between-group covariance showed significant differences in sleep efficiency and hypnotic drugs in the HIIT group (p < 0.05). Among the fitness indicators, the HIIT group showed significant improvements in maximum oxygen uptake, grip strength and flexibility (P < 0.05); the AR group showed significant improvements in back muscle strength and flexibility (P < 0.05). The results of the between-group covariance showed significant improvements in maximum oxygen uptake in the HIIT group (P < 0.01). Regarding body composition indicators, there was a significant improvement in Body weight, BMI, Body fat percentage and Waist-to-hip ratio in both the HIIT and AR groups (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion HIIT and combined exercise training based on remote coaching had some improvement on fitness level and body composition of university students, HIIT was more advantageous in improving aerobic endurance, and HIIT based on remote coaching may have better effect than combined exercise in mental health. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Register, ChiECRCT20220149. Registered on 16 May 2022.
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Suzuki K, Hekmatikar AHA, Jalalian S, Abbasi S, Ahmadi E, Kazemi A, Ruhee RT, Khoramipour K. The Potential of Exerkines in Women's COVID-19: A New Idea for a Better and More Accurate Understanding of the Mechanisms behind Physical Exercise. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192315645. [PMID: 36497720 PMCID: PMC9737724 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The benefits of physical exercise are well-known, but there are still many questions regarding COVID-19. Chow et al.'s 2022 study, titled Exerkines and Disease, showed that a special focus on exerkines can help to better understand the underlying mechanisms of physical exercise and disease. Exerkines are a group of promising molecules that may underlie the beneficial effects of physical exercise in diseases. The idea of exerkines is to understand the effects of physical exercise on diseases better. Exerkines have a high potential for the treatment of diseases and, considering that, there is still no study of the importance of exerkines on the most dangerous disease in the world in recent years, COVID-19. This raises the fundamental question of whether exerkines have the potential to manage COVID-19. Most of the studies focused on the general changes in physical exercise in patients with COVID-19, both during the illness and after discharge from the hospital, and did not investigate the basic differences. A unique look at the management of COVID-19 by exerkines, especially in obese and overweight women who experience high severity of COVID-19 and whose recovery period is long after discharge from the hospital, can help to understand the basic mechanisms. In this review, we explore the potential of exerkines in COVID-19 by practicing physical exercise to provide compelling practice recommendations with new insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhiko Suzuki
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa 359-1192, Japan
| | - Amir Hossein Ahmadi Hekmatikar
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 10600, Iran
| | - Shadi Jalalian
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 10600, Iran
| | - Shaghayegh Abbasi
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran 10600, Iran
| | - Elmira Ahmadi
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 10600, Iran
| | - Abdolreza Kazemi
- Department of Sports Science, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Vali-e-Asr University, Rafsanjan 7718897111, Iran
| | | | - Kayvan Khoramipour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Department of Physiology, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman 7616914115, Iran
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Luo Q, Zhang P, Liu Y, Ma X, Jennings G. Intervention of Physical Activity for University Students with Anxiety and Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic Prevention and Control Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192215338. [PMID: 36430056 PMCID: PMC9692258 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: Although physical activity has been widely recognized as an effective way to improve anxiety and depression, we lack a systematic summary of research on improving anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aims to systematically analyze how physical activity impacts on this situation in college students during COVID-19. (2) Methods: Both Chinese and English databases (PubMed the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang) were analyzed. All the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about physical activity intervention for this were included. We received eight eligible RCT experiments before the retrieval time (4 October 2022) in the meta-analysis. (3) Results: Physical activity benefits for college students with significant anxiety were (SMD = -0.50; 95% CI = -0.83 to -0.17; I2 = 84%; p < 0.001; Z = 2.98;) and depression (SMD = -0.62; 95% CI = -0.99 to -0.25; I2 = 80.7%; p < 0.001; Z = 3.27). Subgroup analyses showed physical activity of different intensities significantly impacted on improving college students' depression and anxiety, but physical activity of 6 < 9 Mets intensity had a greater effect on anxiety than on depression. Interventions of eight weeks or less performed better than those of over eight weeks while interventions less than four times per week had a significant effect on improving the situation. The overall effect of a single intervention of 30 min was more effective than one of over 60 min. (4) Conclusion: Physical activities can effectively improve the situation of anxiety and depression for college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a higher quality RCT experiment is needed to prove it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyuan Luo
- School of Wushu, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Wushu, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yijia Liu
- School of Foreign Languages, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710100, China
| | - Xiujie Ma
- School of Wushu, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Chinese Guoshu Academy, Chengdu Sport University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-(028)-8501-5753
| | - George Jennings
- Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff CF23 6XD, UK
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Rutkowska A. Remote Interventions to Support Students' Psychological Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review of Recent Approaches. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14040. [PMID: 36360919 PMCID: PMC9656822 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected students' mental health, and it is important to implement mental health management strategies. The purpose of this study was to present current findings on the implementation of remote mental health interventions in students during the pandemic. The PubMed and Web of Science electronic databases were searched and, from a total of 174 articles, 106 records were excluded according to the inclusion criteria and 23 were assessed as full texts. After the full-text screening, 12 studies were included in the review. The included publications were randomized clinical trials focused on remote mental support interventions among students from 10 countries, representing both genders, and were in the average age range of 17-55 years with an overall number of 892 participants. The included studies covered the effectiveness of strictly psychotherapeutic programs, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), as well as other techniques such as mindfulness, laughter therapy, the brain wave modulation technique (BWM-T), and physical activity-based interventions. This narrative review provides an overview of studies with a wide range of types of remote mental health support interventions. Each of the forms of intervention analyzed in this review resulted in positive changes in students' mental health, which indicates hope for widespread help via various forms of intervention implemented remotely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rutkowska
- Department of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Opole University of Technology, 45-758 Opole, Poland
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