Overview
- A Cochrane synthesis of 73 randomized trials involving nearly 5,000 adults found exercise provides a modest reduction in depressive symptoms versus no treatment or placebo.
- Across 10 head‑to‑head trials, exercise performed about as well as psychological therapies during the treatment period.
- Comparisons with antidepressants suggested similar effects, though the evidence was based on few studies and rated low certainty.
- Most trials featured structured, often supervised programs with short follow‑up, limiting confidence in long‑term effectiveness and generalisability.
- Signals favored light to moderate intensity and mixed resistance‑plus‑aerobic routines, adverse events were uncommon, and exercise can be used alongside other treatments.