Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 8

Short Term Effect of Physical Activity on Anxiety and Depression in Adolescents

1Associate Professor, Department of Community Physiotherapy, KAHER Institute of Physiotherapy, Belagavi, India

2PG Student, Department of Pediatric Physiotherapy, KAHER Institute of Physiotherapy, Belagavi, India

*Corresponding Author: Snehal Dharmayat KLE Institute of Physiotherapy, Nehru nagar, Belagavi-590010, Email: snehdharma@gmail.com Contact No.-+919448305413

Online published on 26 September, 2019.

Abstract

Mental health disorders pose an emotional, social, academic burden on the children as well as their parents and families. Non-pharmacological therapy has been proved to be useful in various studies by improving the mental status of the individual. Physical activity is a low risk and high benefit intervention that can be explored in the management for depression and anxiety.

A short-term physical activity programme was given to 70 children (27 males, 43 females) aged 12–16 years who fulfilled the criteria for anxiety and depression on 3 scales: SCARED, CES-DC and RCADS. The physical activity programme was given for 6 sessions over 2 weeks. Pre and post scores of the three scales were noted.

There was a 12.4% reduction in the scores of CES-DC, 13.35% on SCARED and 10% reduction in the scores of RCADS post-intervention.(p<0.05)

There was a significant reduction in the anxiety and depression levels after the physical activity program. Physical activity has a positive effect in reducing depression and anxiety in adolescents.

Keywords

Adolescents, anxiety, depression, Physical activity