Alex
A recent Taiwanese study published in JAMA Pediatrics on April 29 found a significant link between increased physical activity in children and teenagers and reduced mental health issues. The study utilized data from the Taiwan National Student Fitness Tests and the National Insurance Research Databases to investigate the connection between physical fitness and mental health conditions like anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and ADHD/ADD. Focusing on 10 to 11-year-old students, the researchers tracked their physical fitness progress over three years and its correlation with mental health conditions.
The study categorized physical fitness into four groups: cardio fitness (measured by an 800-meter run), muscular endurance (assessed through sit-ups), muscular power (evaluated by standing jump distance), and flexibility (tested with a sit-and-reach exam). The findings indicated that improvements in each aspect of fitness were linked to a decreased risk of mental health issues. For example, enhanced cardio fitness, demonstrated by a 30-second faster half-mile run, was associated with reduced anxiety, depression, and ADHD risks in girls, as well as lower anxiety and ADHD risks in boys. Similarly, better muscular endurance (equivalent to 5 more sit-ups per minute) was linked to decreased depression and ADHD risks in girls, and lower anxiety and ADHD risks in boys. Improved muscular power (approximately an 8-inch increase in standing jump) correlated with lower anxiety and ADHD risks in girls, and reduced anxiety, depression, and ADHD risks in boys.
The researchers suggested a possible dose-dependent relationship, indicating that higher levels of fitness might serve as a preventative measure against mental disorders. “The study highlights the potential protective benefits of cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular endurance, and muscular power against the development of mental disorders,” remarked the researchers. The association between exercise and mental health has been widely recognized, with experts stressing the importance of physical activity for children, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The impact of physical activity on the mental well-being of 6 to 18-year-olds is significant,” noted the American Psychological Association in April 2020, referring to previous research that supports the role of exercise in children’s mental health.
The study’s authors emphasized the necessity of targeted physical fitness programs as primary preventive measures against mental disorders in children and teenagers, underscoring the potential advantages of such interventions. They suggested that incorporating physical activity into daily routines could have long-term benefits for mental health, and encouraged parents, educators, and policymakers to prioritize physical fitness programs for young people.
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