{"id":11679,"date":"2025-08-11T06:00:43","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T05:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/?p=11679"},"modified":"2025-08-11T07:48:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T06:48:13","slug":"physical-activity-during-childhood-improves-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/2025\/08\/11\/physical-activity-during-childhood-improves-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Physical Activity During Childhood Improves Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

In this blog, we report novel findings from a recent study<\/a> on how physical activity during certain periods can protect children from developing common psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and addiction (1). We also highlight that participation in organized sports seems to have a broad beneficial effect and then discuss explanations for this pattern, seen before in earlier research (2). Our study (recently published in BJSM) was based on a large group of Swedish children followed from birth until their 18th birthday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why is this study important?<\/h3>\n

Mental health issues are unfortunately very common worldwide and there has been a dramatic increase in incidence among children and youth lately (3). The need for practical strategies for prevention and effective treatments is obvious, and physical activity has shown promise in earlier studies (4). This study adds to the growing evidence that physical activity not only influences mental well-being, but protects against future psychiatric conditions diagnosed by a physician.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How did the study go about this?<\/h3>\n

This study recruited 17055 children, born in Sweden between 1997-1999, and asked both parents and children to rate various aspects of their health repeatedly. Then, researchers gathered diagnoses from a national registry and computed risk for incidence in psychiatric conditions. Since the study followed children for 18 years and could compare parent-rated levels of activity with diagnoses from a national registry, we were able\u00a0 to rule out that pre-existing issues caused low activity levels or that transient dips were interpreted as psychiatric issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What did the study find?<\/h3>\n

Physical activity, reported by the parents, declined sharply between 5-, 8- and 11-years of age. Analyses also showed that girls and boys had different outcomes and patterns. Physical activity at 11 years of age protected against anxiety and we saw a trend for protection against depression among both boys and girls. It also protected against addiction for boys. Activity in the form of participation in organised sports had broad protective effects and was associated with a lower incidence of anxiety and addiction among both boys and girls.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are the key take-home points?<\/h3>\n