A new study, conducted by the University of South Australia, found that regular exercise could be “a powerful intervention” in the ongoing efforts to better support children and young people’s mental health.
Researchers determined in the largest meta-analysis involving 38,000 young people that consistent, structured movement improved symptoms of both anxiety and depression.
More specifically, the study discovered:
- Anxiety- “improved most through low-intensity, resistance exercises…”
- Depression- “improved most through moderate-intensity, mixed-mode and resistance training, including circuits that combine aerobic and strength training.”
- Benefits, especially for depression, can be seen in as little as 12 weeks.
Senior researcher, UniSA’s Prof Carol Maher says “Exercise should be a core part of mental health care for children and teens, whether at school, in the community, or clinical settings.”
Ok, but what can I do, you may ask…
Low intensity resistance exercises for a preschooler might look like:
- Bear crawling or crab walking when you transition
- Pulling or pushing a wagon full of heavy things, across the room, down the hall, 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 that incorporates others strengths like adding in jumping jacks when tagged (trust us, preschoolers know how to play tag!)
- A sorting game that puts the items that needed to be sorted as far away in your play space from the place where they will be sorted. Make it harder by having them jump back!
- An obstacle course with things to crawl over, under, through. Be sure to include hopping, jumping, and unstable surfaces!
