A new study highlights that physical activity can play a significant role in reducing depressive symptoms among adolescents, regardless of the type or intensity of the sport they engage in. 

Lead researcher Sebastian Sitko from the University of Zaragoza, Spain, said: “The findings suggest that encouraging physical activity in teens could help alleviate depressive symptoms across a wide range of sports and performance levels. 

“This could shape future community health initiatives, recommending that teens stay active to improve mental well-being, regardless of the sport they choose.”

The research, published in The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, surveyed 10,248 adolescents aged 11 to 19 with the aim of understanding the relationship between depression, sport type, and level of performance.

The study found that girls reported more depressive symptoms than boys, with symptoms becoming more pronounced in later teenage years. 

One of the key findings was that teens who didn’t participate in physical activity had the highest depression scores, while those competing at international levels reported the lowest. 

The study found no substantial differences in depressive symptoms among athletes at varying levels of competitive sport, suggesting that even recreational sports participation can offer mental health benefits. 

The type of sport played, whether team-based or individual, had only a small effect on depressive symptoms.

The study is published in the November 2024 edition of the the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.

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About JSAMS

The Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (JSAMS) is published by Sports Medicine Australia.

The journal provides high-quality, original research papers to keep Sports Medicine Australia members and subscribers informed of developments in the areas of sports exercise and medicine, sports injury, physical activity, and sports exercise and science.