A review of physical activity interventions on determinants of mental health in children and adolescents

The purpose of this presentation is to review physical activity promoting interventions implemented between 2000—2011 that evaluates the effects physical activity has on determinants of mental health among children and adolescents. A search was performed using the databases Academic Search Premier, CINHAL, EBSCOHost, PsycARTICLES and PsycINFO. The inclusion criteria for this review includes: only peer-reviewed articles, interventions related to the enhancement of physical activity, interventions that contain a measure of mental health, and those that target children and adolescents between the ages of 6-18 years. Excluding duplicate articles found in the search, 537 articles were found. Of these, 10 met the inclusion criteria. All studies reported an inverse relationship between physical activity levels and depression. Seven of the 10 studies found a significant relationship (p < 0.05) in the reduction of depression when various aerobic and/or resistance training exercises were introduced. Only one study found a negative correlation between very light intensity activity and aspects of psychological health, however results were not statistically significant. An increase in physical activity appears to reduce depression in school-aged children and adolescents. It also appears to impact global self worth, self-efficacy and self esteem trait anxiety and overall negative mood. Recommendations for future interventions will be presented.