How Childhood Exercise Protects Mental Health: New Insights from a Swedish Study
At Heritage Physiotherapy & Co our Physiotherapists regularly read high-quality research, conducting journal reviews and reflecting on current research to guide future practice.
Article:
Impact of Physical Activity on the Incidence of Psychiatric Conditions During Childhood: A Longitudinal Swedish Birth Cohort Study Authors:
Oskar Lundgren, Hanna Tigerstrand, Andrea Lebena, Marie Löf, and Johnny LudvigssonJournal:
British Journal of Sports Medicine (Br J Sports Med)Published:
May 2025 (Accepted March 11, 2025)DOI:
10.1136/bjsports-2024-108148
We know physical activity is good for children’s bodies, but new research shows it may also protect their minds. A large Swedish study has found that children who stay active — especially those involved in organized sports — are less likely to develop psychiatric conditions during adolescence.
The Study
Researchers from Linköping University and Karolinska Institute followed more than 17,000 children from birth until age 18. Parents reported how much time their children spent moving, playing outside, and participating in organized sports at ages 5, 8, and 11. These records were then compared with national health registry data on psychiatric diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.
What They Found
1. Activity levels dropped with age: On average, children went from 4+ hours of daily movement at age 5 to just 2.5 hours by age 11.
2. Physical activity at age 11 mattered most: More daily movement was linked with a lower risk of psychiatric conditions through adolescence.
3. Sports were especially protective: Kids involved in organized sports at 11 had significantly lower risks of depression (for boys), anxiety (both genders), and addiction (both genders).
4. Gender differences emerged: For boys, physical activity was strongly linked with reduced risks of depression, anxiety, and addiction. For girls, organized sports helped, but general daily activity showed weaker effects.
5. Time outdoors didn’t matter: Surprisingly, simply spending more hours outside wasn’t tied to better mental health outcomes.
Why It Matters
Childhood and adolescence are critical periods for mental health. Disorders such as anxiety and depression often first appear in the pre-teen years. This study suggests that keeping children active — particularly through structured, social activities like sports — may build resilience and reduce risks.
Takeaways for Parents
1. Encourage children to stay active, especially as they approach adolescence.
2. Support access to organized sports, regardless of gender or background.
3. Recognize that physical activity is more than just fitness — it’s also mental health care.
As mental health challenges continue to rise among young people worldwide, this research adds weight to a simple but powerful idea: movement matters. Investing in play, sports, and activity isn’t just about preventing obesity — it could help protect the next generation’s mental well-being.
At Heritage Physiotherapy & Co our children’s specialist physiotherapist Katie uses her experience and communication skills to work with children of all ages and abilities to encourage exercise and promote positive relationships with movement from a young age. Your child may have developmental delay or a neurological or musculoskeletal condition that makes exercise challenging, however Katie’s expertise enables her to build therapeutic relationships that will encourage a lifetime of engaging in movement for both functional independence and encourage group participation in exercise. This can help builds friendships and well as promote physical development. To find out more, please see our services page on our website.
