Table 3 Subgroup analyses of the effect of exercise on depression in adolescents

Exercise type

Depression

Aerobic

5 (160)

6.02

35.29%

− 0.59 (− 1.01, -0.17)

0.01

Whole-body muscle vibration training

1 (35)

–

–

–

–

Depressive symptoms

Aerobic

7 (453)

21.70

76.91%

− 0.85 (− 1.29, -0.40)

< 0.01

Resistance + aerobic exercise

2 (86)

4.78

79.07%

− 1.25 (− 2.40, -0.10)

0.03

Yoga

4 (471)

0.91

0%

− 0.12 (− 0.30, 0.07)

0.22

Exercise program duration (weeks)

Depression

6

4 (158)

5.84

47.46%

− 0.61 (− 1.07, 0.15)

0.01

9–12

2 (37)

0.18

0%

− 0.55 (− 1.21, 0.11)

0.10

Depressive symptoms

8

4 (204)

2.79

0%

− 0.82 (− 1.11, -0.52)

< 0.01

10–12

6 (375)

25.97

86.46%

− 0.57 (− 1.18, 0.04)

0.07

 > 12

3 (431)

20.12

95.18%

− 0.76 (− 1.73, 0.21)

0.12

Exercise session duration (min)

Depression

30

4 (119)

2.72

0%

− 0.76 (− 1.13, -0.38)

< 0.01

45

2 (76)

0.04

0%

− 0.21 (− 0.67, 0.24)

0.35

Depressive symptoms

30–45

6 (466)

25.32

87.31%

− 0.58 (-1.18,0.01)

0.06

75–120

5 (460)

26.51

87.84%

− 0.80 (− 1.38, -0.21)

0.01

Exercise frequency (sessions/week)

Depression

3

4 (126)

5.80

48.59%

− 0.58 (-1.11, -0.05)

)

0.03

4

2 (69)

0.03

0%

− 0.60 (-1.08, -0.12)

0.01

Depressive symptoms

2

3 (420)

0.49

0%

− 0.10 (-0.29, 0.10)

0.33

3

10 (590)

3.74

76.47%

− 0.87 (-1.25, -0.49)

 < 0.01

Exercise intensity

Depression

Moderate

1 (24)

–

–

–

–

Self-selected

1 (65)

–

–

–

–

Depressive symptoms

Moderate

2 (69)

1.39

28.18%

− 1.59 (-2.24, -0.94)

< 0.01

High

2 (84)

0.06

0

− 0.65 (-1.08, -0.21)

< 0.01