Health Psychol Rev December 2016 PMID 25739893

A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in non-clinical adult populations.

Amanda L Rebar, Robert Stanton, David Geard, Camille Short, Mitch J Duncan, Corneel Vandelanotte

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Mentions

108

Peak: 9 in Jan 2021

across 5 sources since May 2020

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May 2020 – May 2025

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall discussions reflect a strong consensus on the positive impact of physical activity on mental health, with examples like references to the 92-study meta-analysis and mentions of mental health benefits during COVID-19, illustrating both appreciation and practical relevance through analytical language and optimistic tones.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions strongly support the findings of the meta-meta-analysis, emphasizing the positive effects of physical activity on mental health.

InterestHigh interest

The posts demonstrate high interest, referencing detailed research and discussing practical implications, indicating engagement with the subject.

EngagementHigh engagement

Many posts cite specific studies, mention statistics, and express opinions about the significance of physical activity for mental well-being, reflecting deep involvement.

ImpactHigh impact

The shared content highlights the practical and societal importance, such as promoting physical activity during crises like COVID-19, suggesting high perceived impact.

Abstract in brief

This metametaanalysis examined the impact of physical activity on depression and anxiety in healthy adults, highlighting that most research has focused on clinical populations rather than nonclinical groups.
The study analyzed data from 92 studies with over 13,000 participants and found that physical activity has a moderate effect in reducing depression and a small effect in reducing anxiety among nonclinical populations.
Overall, the findings suggest that engaging in physical activity can significantly improve mental health, specifically by lowering symptoms of depression and anxiety in generally healthy adults.

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All mentions

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Impact of Physical Activity on Mental Health in Adults

This meta-meta-analysis examined the impact of physical activity on depression and anxiety in healthy adults, highlighting that most research has focused on clinical populations rather than nonclinical groups. Engaging…

Kizzy Grice · May 10, 2025 6 views

Willem de Boer

@Willem_deboer · X

Mooi item @NOSnl over initiatief om op #BlueMonday te rennen om #aandacht te vragen vr mensen met psychische klachten. Daarnaast: juist #sport & #bewegen kan helpen om #depressie en #angst te voorkomen, of klachten te verminderen! (https://t.co/DHU95bmbNj) https://t.co/niLlh1u2BJ

Jan 16, 2023 · 556 followers View post →

Felipe

@Fel1626 · X

RT @DrCamRx: Meta-meta-analysis! of 92 studies/15K people shows that exercise reduces depression by a medium effect and anxiety by a small…

Oct 31, 2022 · 4 shares · 13 followers View post →

Paweł Kubicki

@KubickiPawel · X

RT @RSzarfenberg: @KubickiPawel Można też połączyć ze zdrowiem psychicznym: "wysokiej jakości dowodów na to, że aktywność fizyczna zmniejsz…

Sep 23, 2022 · 1 share · 2,560 followers View post →

Ryszard Szarfenberg

@RSzarfenberg · X

Sep 23, 2022 · 3 likes · 1 share · 3,590 followers View post →

Andrew Gannon

@Clubrider · X

@Cyrus_Monk @theheraldsun Concern about mental health is so 2021....... https://t.co/FT44UgJ8js

Mar 2, 2022 · 229 followers View post →

Periyar

@SC_Boss_ · X

RT @drabbyphilips: @TheAntiwarVet ANY physical activity has effects on mental health. So nothing great about Yoga as such in this aspect. h…

Dec 2, 2021 · 1 share · 3,353 followers View post →

TheLiverDoc™

@theliverdr · X

@TheAntiwarVet ANY physical activity has effects on mental health. So nothing great about Yoga as such in this aspect. https://t.co/r7N8dCzFgg

Dec 2, 2021 · 1 share · 313,146 followers View post →

Dr Pardo

@Doctor_Pardo · X

RT @DrCamRx: Meta-meta-analysis! of 92 studies/15K people shows that exercise reduces depression by a medium effect and anxiety by a small…

Nov 2, 2021 · 4 shares · 4,165 followers View post →

Vioc Mz

@Zeitgeist_XX1 · X

RT @mitokondriac: https://t.co/vymqbVIa2U

Apr 28, 2021 · 1 share · 49 followers View post →

☀️MitoHacker☀️

@mitokondriac · X

https://t.co/vymqbVIa2U

Apr 28, 2021 · 18 likes · 1 share · 22,135 followers View post →

Side hustles and paid gigs

@Paid_online_gig · X

RT Routledgepsych From @healthpsychrev is Altmetric trending article “A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in non-clinical adult populations.” Read the article today with free access: https://t.co/KejORauuWy … https://t.co/3Ph84fby08

Feb 10, 2021 · 503 followers View post →

Routledge Psychology

@RoutledgePsych · X

Feb 10, 2021 · 3 likes · 91,975 followers View post →

Daniel Brown, PhD (Clin Psy)

@danielbrown919 · X

RT @EHPSociety: RT @Routledgepsych: Read Altmetric trending article “A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression…

Jan 18, 2021 · 1 share · 787 followers View post →

Gezondh. Psychologie

@GezondPsy · X

RT @Routledgepsych: Read Altmetric trending article “A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in non-clinical adult populations” in Health Psychology Review: https://t.co/oyzXKVWpiy @HealthPsychRev @ronamossmorri… https://t.co/NOYJyHz9NU

Jan 18, 2021 · 55 followers View post →

European Health Psychology Society

@EHPSociety · X

RT @Routledgepsych: Read Altmetric trending article “A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in non-clinical adult populations” in Health Psychology Review: https://t.co/p3z0QoJVSn @HealthPsychRev @ronamossmorri… https://t.co/7CkgobvDwE

Jan 18, 2021 · 2 likes · 1 share · 2,621 followers View post →

Health Psychology Review

@healthpsychrev · X

RT @Routledgepsych: Read Altmetric trending article “A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in n…

Jan 18, 2021 · 5 shares · 842 followers View post →

Dr. Suzanne Segerstrom

@suzannecarrie · X

RT @Routledgepsych: Read Altmetric trending article “A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in n…

Jan 18, 2021 · 5 shares · 803 followers View post →

Side hustles and paid gigs

@Paid_online_gig · X

RT Routledgepsych Read Altmetric trending article “A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in non-clinical adult populations” in Health Psychology Review: https://t.co/KejORauuWy @HealthPsychRev @ronamossmorris … https://t.co/mzAO80VrUu

Jan 18, 2021 · 2 likes · 503 followers View post →

Fahima75

@Fahima75 · X

RT @Routledgepsych: Read Altmetric trending article “A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in n…

Jan 18, 2021 · 5 shares · 1,064 followers View post →

SystematicReviewBot

@EvidenceRobot · X

RT @Routledgepsych: Read Altmetric trending article “A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in n…

Jan 18, 2021 · 5 shares · 6,716 followers View post →

Routledge Psychology

@RoutledgePsych · X

Jan 18, 2021 · 4 likes · 5 shares · 91,975 followers View post →

Rehab_Mar

@mar_rehab · X

RT @sol_vidalalmela: 5/ Varios meta-análisis muestran ⬇️ en los niveles de ansiedad y depresión con la práctica de ejercicio en poblaciones…

May 28, 2020 · 1 share · 251 followers View post →

Sol Vidal Almela, PhD

@sol_vidalalmela · X

5/ Varios meta-análisis muestran ⬇️ en los niveles de ansiedad y depresión con la práctica de ejercicio en poblaciones sanas (SMD -0.38 y -0.50) y cardíacas (MD -2.59 y -0.61) vs. un grupo control https://t.co/kKPmbOEQhW; https://t.co/fW0vLDz3N2

May 28, 2020 · 1 like · 1 share · 761 followers View post →

Sol Vidal Almela, PhD

@sol_vidalalmela · X

4/ ⬆️PA is associated with improved #anxiety #depression & #mood in population studies MA show⬇️in anxiety & depression with

May 27, 2020 · 8 likes · 761 followers View post →

David Mayer MD

@WalkForPtSafety · X

May 7, 2020 · 5 likes · 752 followers View post →

A meta-meta-analysis of the effect of physical activity on depression and anxiety in non-clinical adult populations.

Mentions per month

Where it's discussed

What people are saying

Abstract in brief

Top posts

All mentions

Psychological Benefits of Sports on Mental Health

Neuroscience of Heartbreak and Social Rejection Explained

Impact of Physical Activity on Mental Health in Adults