Xiao Yang, Shi Chaofan, Zhang Xiaotian, Liu Haitao
College of Physical Education, Henan University, Kaifeng, 475001, Henan, China.
College of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
BMC Public Health. 2025 May 19;25(1):1845. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-22904-z.
Depression affects approximately 25% of college students globally. Physical exercise shows promise as a low-cost, high-adherence intervention for depression, but research comparing different exercise types is lacking. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of various exercise interventions in alleviating depressive symptoms among college students through a network meta-analysis, to inform targeted exercise prescriptions.
We conducted a systematic search of six databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and ScienceDirect) from their inception to July 1, 2024. Interventions were classified into six categories based on exercise type and intensity. Data extraction and systematic analysis were performed using Review Manager 5.4. A network meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 14.0, with heterogeneity assessed via node-splitting models, and results presented as standardized mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Forty-two randomized controlled trials involving 1,169 participants were included. The network meta-analysis revealed that Special Training Unit (STU), Dynamic Resistance Movement Group (DRMG), and Aerobic Exercise Group (AEG) demonstrated high effectiveness in improving depressive symptoms. STU showed the highest probability of being the most effective intervention (65.1%), followed by DRMG (64.8%), AEG (61.3%), and Strength and Resistance Training Group (SRTG) (60.9%). High-Intensity Training Group (HITG) (26.2%) and Moderate Intensity Group (MIG) (21.7%) showed less impact on improving depressive symptoms. The limited effectiveness of HITG may relate to excessive physiological stress responses, while MIG potentially provided insufficient stimulation to trigger optimal neurobiological adaptations for mood improvement.
Special Training Units (STU) and Dance and Rhythmic Movement Group (DRMG) interventions demonstrate superior efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms among college students. These findings suggest that integrating rhythmic movement with psychological components may offer optimal benefits compared to intensity-focused exercise approaches, providing evidence-based guidance for mental health programs in university settings.
全球约25%的大学生受抑郁症影响。体育锻炼作为一种低成本、高依从性的抑郁症干预措施显示出前景，但缺乏比较不同运动类型的研究。本研究旨在通过网络荟萃分析评估各种运动干预措施在减轻大学生抑郁症状方面的疗效，为有针对性的运动处方提供依据。
我们对六个数据库（PubMed、科学网、考克兰图书馆、EMBASE、SCOPUS和ScienceDirect）从创建至2024年7月1日进行了系统检索。干预措施根据运动类型和强度分为六类。使用Review Manager 5.4进行数据提取和系统分析。使用Stata 14.0进行网络荟萃分析，通过节点拆分模型评估异质性，结果以标准化均值差（SMD）和95%置信区间（CI）表示。
纳入了42项涉及1169名参与者的随机对照试验。网络荟萃分析显示，特殊训练单元（STU）、动态抗阻运动组（DRMG）和有氧运动组（AEG）在改善抑郁症状方面显示出高效性。STU显示为最有效干预措施的概率最高（65.1%），其次是DRMG（64.8%）、AEG（61.3%）和力量与抗阻训练组（SRTG）（60.9%）。高强度训练组（HITG）（26.2%）和中等强度组（MIG）（21.7%）对改善抑郁症状的影响较小。HITG效果有限可能与过度的生理应激反应有关，而MIG可能提供的刺激不足，无法触发改善情绪的最佳神经生物学适应。
特殊训练单元（STU）和舞蹈与韵律运动组（DRMG）干预措施在减轻大学生抑郁症状方面显示出卓越疗效。这些发现表明，与以强度为重点的运动方法相比，将韵律运动与心理成分相结合可能会带来最佳益处，并为大学环境中的心理健康项目提供循证指导。
