A recent study observed "that a larger improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness from childhood to adolescence was associated with lower levels of perceived stress and depressive symptoms in adolescence."
The PANIC Study (Childhood Physical Fitness as a Predictor of Cognition and Mental Health in Adolescence)* is an 8-year physical activity and diet intervention study in a population sample of children from the city of Kuopio, Finland. Children aged 6–9 years from primary schools in Kuopio were invited to participate in the baseline examination in 2007–2009 then followed up for 2 years (aged 8–11 years) and 8 years (aged 15–17 years) after baseline.
The key findings support other research in highlighting the power of physical activity in building mental resilience with higher fitness associated with lower perceived stress and depressive symptoms at the 8-year follow-up after adjustment for age, sex, and parental education.
The authors conclude "Our findings advocate for the investment in physical fitness from early life as a potential strategy for mitigating cognitive and mental health issues in adolescence."
Read the full article https://rdcu.be/dZnL9
*Haapala, E.A., Leppänen, M.H., Skog, H. et al. Childhood Physical Fitness as a Predictor of Cognition and Mental Health in Adolescence: The PANIC Study. Sports Med (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-024-02107-z
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