Sport has positive effect on kids’ mental health

A new report shows that there is “strong and consistent evidence” that sport and physical activity interventions have positive effects on the diagnosed mental health problems of children and young people.

The Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Physical Activity report – which was produced by Edge Hill University – collated and reviewed existing research from 143 studies.

Among the key findings from the report was that aerobic exercise was the most common mode of physical activity intervention used, and this had a moderate effect on depression.

According to Sport England, the results will be used to “better inform” its decision-making on children and young people – one of the five ‘big issues’ in its Uniting the Movement strategy.