A new study out of the University of South Australia found that regular exercise could be a powerful tool for supporting children and young people’s mental health.

Researchers looked at the largest meta-analysis to date — 38,000 young people — and found that consistent, structured movement improved symptoms of both anxiety and depression.

What the Research Found

  • Anxiety improved most through low-intensity, resistance-based exercise.
  • Depression improved most through moderate-intensity, mixed-mode training — circuits that combine aerobic and strength work.
  • Benefits, especially for depression, showed up in as little as 12 weeks.

Senior researcher Prof. Carol Maher put it plainly: exercise should be a core part of mental health care for kids and teens, whether at school, at home, or in a clinical setting.

Ok, But What Can I Do?

Here’s what that actually looks like in a classroom — broken down by age, since a preschooler and a 5th grader need different versions of the same idea.

For Preschoolers

Low-intensity resistance exercise might look like:

  • Bear crawling or crab walking during transitions
  • Pulling or pushing a wagon full of heavy things across the room, down the hall, or on the playground
  • Carrying buckets of sand or water on the playground
  • Running uphill on the playground
  • Climbing on the playground or up the stairs

Moderate-intensity, mixed-mode might look like:

  • A game of tag with an added strength element — jumping jacks when tagged (preschoolers are shockingly serious about tag)
  • A sorting game where the sorting bins are far from the pile — and harder if they have to jump back each time
  • An obstacle course with things to crawl over, under, and through, plus hopping, jumping, and unstable surfaces

For Elementary Students

Low-intensity resistance exercise might look like:

  • Wall push-ups or a few chair-assisted squats built into a subject transition
  • Classroom “jobs” that involve carrying something heavy — a stack of books, a full water pitcher — across the room
  • A stair climb between classes, if your building allows it

Moderate-intensity, mixed-mode might look like:

  • Four Corners with an academic twist — call out a math fact, kids run to the corner with the right answer
  • A quick freeze-dance reset between two focused work blocks
  • An animal-walk relay between small teams

Want 10 more, fully broken out by energy level with exact timing and classroom scripts? I put together a full list here: 10 Movement Breaks for Elementary Students.

Want More Movement Strategies?

Grab our free guide, 5 Movement Games to Try Tomorrow — printable instructions, no equipment needed, works for preschool or elementary.