A recent study from Australia indicates that teenagers with higher aerobic fitness may have a lower risk of developing depression later in life. The research assessed over 1,000 individuals from a nationwide cohort first surveyed in 1985, tracking their mental health outcomes for more than three decades through diagnostic interviews.
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Participants' physical fitness was evaluated during childhood using several tests, including a 1.6-kilometer run for cardiorespiratory fitness and a standing long jump for muscular power. A smaller group also underwent cycling and handgrip strength assessments.
The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, revealed that those with faster running times—indicating better cardiovascular fitness—experienced a 15% lower relative risk of developing depression in adulthood. The average running time was approximately 8 minutes and 27 seconds, with participants running about 1 minute and 15 seconds faster than this average correlating with the reduced risk.
The protective effects of cardiorespiratory fitness were most pronounced five to ten years following the initial assessments when participants were nearest to their childhood fitness levels, although the associations continued through the entire 34-year follow-up. Notably, the protective impact of fitness was consistently greater among females than males, aligning with the fact that women tend to experience higher rates of depression.
Kyle Smith, the study's lead author, noted, "While we cannot say a lack of fitness during childhood causes depression in adults, the findings suggest that childhood fitness may have benefits beyond physical health. There are many contributing factors to depression, meaning no single factor explains risk on its own. Fitness may be one piece of the puzzle."
The prevalence of mental health conditions has nearly doubled over the past 30 years, largely owing to increases in anxiety and depression globally. Approximately 322 million adults, or one in 20 people, currently live with depression. As these rates climb, researchers are working to identify lifestyle factors that could help prevent or delay mental health issues.
Grant Tomkinson, a researcher at Adelaide University, emphasized the potential for fitness interventions, stating, "Importantly, fitness is something we can change; it may be an important target for improving long-term mental health."