Home›Psychiatry› Acute exercise significantly reduces state anxiety in children and adolescents across multiple modalities
Acute exercise significantly reduces state anxiety in children and adolescents across multiple modalitiesAcute exercise significantly reduces anxiety in children and adolescents
European journal of pediatricsPublished September 3, 2026Study authors: Wang Jing, Chen Ji-Wei, Jin Shi-Jun, Zhu KunPubMed ↗DOI ↗Editorial oversight: Dr. Ji-eun Park, MD · Brain, Mind & Pain
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Key Takeaway
Consider acute exercise as a means to reduce state anxiety in children and adolescents, noting the exploratory nature of results.
This meta-analysis evaluated the impact of acute exercise on state anxiety in a population of 739 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years. The study synthesized data across various exercise modalities and settings to determine the efficacy of physical activity in reducing acute anxiety symptoms.
The analysis reported a significant overall reduction in state anxiety (SMD = -0.77, 95% CI [-1.37, -0.16], P = 0.01). Specific subgroups also demonstrated significant reductions: adolescents aged 13 to 18 years (SMD = -2.97, 95% CI [-3.39, -2.55], P < 0.01), passive-control comparisons (SMD = -0.28, 95% CI [-0.53, -0.04], P = 0.02), and group-based interventions (SMD = -0.30, 95% CI [-0.51, -0.09], P = 0.01). Additionally, aerobic exercise (SMD = -0.19, 95% CI [-0.36, -0.02], P = 0.03) and multimodal exercise (SMD = -0.25, 95% CI [-0.43, -0.06], P = 0.01) were associated with reduced anxiety.
The authors noted substantial heterogeneity (I = 94.90%) and characterized the subgroup findings as exploratory. The certainty of evidence is moderate. While acute exercise may be a viable intervention for reducing anxiety in pediatric populations, the high heterogeneity and exploratory nature of the subgroup data suggest that results require confirmation in larger trials before clinical implementation.
How this fits prior evidence
This meta-analysis extends the evidence regarding physical activity as a supportive intervention for anxiety. While prior evidence established that physical activity cuts anxiety and depression in incarcerated individuals, this study specifically addresses the impact of acute exercise on state anxiety in children and adolescents. The finding of significant reduction in state anxiety across various modalities supports the use of physical activity as a non-pharmacological intervention, though the high heterogeneity in this study warrants cautious interpretation.
Living with anxiety can feel overwhelming for young people. New data suggests that even a short period of physical activity, known as acute exercise, can help lower those feelings of anxiety in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18.
Researchers looked at data from 739 young people to see how different types of exercise affected their mood. They found that exercise led to a significant reduction in state anxiety. This effect was particularly strong for adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18. The study also noted that exercise helped regardless of whether it was aerobic, multimodal, or performed in high-autonomy settings.
While these results are promising, the findings are still exploratory. Because the studies included were very different from one another, the results should be interpreted with caution. More large-scale trials are needed to confirm these findings and determine the best ways to use exercise as a tool for managing anxiety.
What this means for you:
Short periods of exercise can significantly lower immediate anxiety in children and teenagers.
Common questions
Does exercise really help with anxiety in kids?
Yes, the data shows that acute exercise leads to a significant reduction in state anxiety for children and adolescents aged 6 to 18. This effect was especially notable in the adolescent group of 13 to 18-year-olds. Because these findings are exploratory, talk to a doctor about how to best use exercise for your child.
What types of exercise are most effective?
The study found that several types of exercise helped reduce anxiety, including aerobic exercise and multimodal exercise. It also showed benefits in high-autonomy settings. However, because the data comes from a variety of different studies, more research is needed to confirm which specific type works best.
Is this a permanent fix for anxiety?
The study measured 'state anxiety,' which refers to immediate feelings of anxiety. While the results show a significant reduction after exercise, the findings are exploratory and require more large trials to confirm how long these effects last or how they work over time.
UNLABELLED: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the immediate effects of acute exercise on state anxiety in children and adolescents. It also examined whether exercise modality, developmental stage, and setting influenced the effects. Five databases were searched up to March 2026 for studies on acute exercise and state anxiety in individuals aged 6-18 years. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 17.0, with effect sizes pooled as standardized mean differences (SMDs). Sensitivity analysis and GRADE were used to assess heterogeneity and evidence certainty. Twelve studies involving 739 participants were included. Acute exercise significantly reduced state anxiety (SMD = - 0.77, 95% CI [- 1.37, - 0.16], P = 0.01), although heterogeneity was substantial (I = 94.90%). In sensitivity-adjusted subgroup analyses, significant effects were observed in adolescents aged 13-18 years (SMD = - 2.97, 95% CI [- 3.39, - 2.55], P < 0.01), passive-control comparisons (SMD = - 0.28, 95% CI [- 0.53, - 0.04], P = 0.02), group-based interventions (SMD = - 0.30, 95% CI [- 0.51, - 0.09], P = 0.01), non-stress-induced conditions (SMD = - 0.28, 95% CI [- 0.47, - 0.10], P < 0.01), high-autonomy settings (SMD = - 0.62, 95% CI [- 1.00, - 0.24], P < 0.01), aerobic exercise (SMD = - 0.19, 95% CI [- 0.36, - 0.02], P = 0.03), and multimodal exercise (SMD = - 0.25, 95% CI [- 0.43, - 0.06], P = 0.01). The certainty of evidence was moderate.
CONCLUSIONS: Acute exercise may reduce anxiety in children and adolescents, although the substantial heterogeneity warrants cautious interpretation. Sensitivity-adjusted subgroup analyses suggest that effects may vary according to developmental stage, exercise characteristics, and situational autonomy. These subgroup findings should be considered exploratory and require confirmation in larger, well-designed trials.
WHAT IS KNOWN: • Regular physical activity is associated with better mental health and lower anxiety in young people, but evidence on the immediate effects of a single bout of exercise remains limited. • Previous research has mainly focused on exercise intensity, with less attention to developmental stage, exercise format, and contextual factors.
WHAT IS NEW: • This meta-analysis found that acute exercise was associated with an immediate reduction in anxiety in children and adolescents, although substantial between-study heterogeneity was present. • Exploratory subgroup analyses suggest that developmental stage, situational autonomy, and exercise characteristics may contribute to variation in the short-term anxiety response to acute exercise.
