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<\/a><\/p>\n\u201cWe found that when children and teenagers moved more, through play, sport or exercise, it significantly reduced depression and anxiety,\u201d said lead researcher Dr Ben Singh, a research fellow at UniSA<\/a>.<\/p>\n The research comes amid growing concern about youth mental health, with one in four Australian children now experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, often from a young age.<\/p>\n Singh said pressures from school, uncertainty about the future, and constant exposure to social media were major contributors.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n He believes movement is a low-cost, accessible tool that can help families, schools and policymakers respond.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of children either don\u2019t receive treatment or don\u2019t respond well to traditional methods like therapy or medication,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cMovement gives us a practical alternative.\u201d<\/p>\n The study found the greatest mental health improvements occurred in programs lasting fewer than 12 weeks, meaning children don\u2019t need to wait months to see results.<\/p>\n Importantly, the activity didn\u2019t need to be intense or structured. Informal movement, such as walking, riding a bike or playing a game outside, delivered similar mental health benefits to team sports or exercise classes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t have to be elite sport,\u201d Singh said.<\/p>\n \u201cA game of backyard cricket or a bike ride with friends is enough. What matters most is that kids are active.\u201d<\/p>\n Beyond physical benefits, movement was shown to boost confidence, improve energy levels and support social interaction, particularly when done with peers.<\/p>\n \u201cChildren who move more tend to feel better, connect more and build confidence,\u201d Singh said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something every parent and teacher can encourage.\u201d<\/p>\n The research team is now calling on schools, communities and health professionals to treat physical movement as a key part of mental health care.<\/p>\n \u201cMovement should be part of the conversation when we talk about supporting young people,\u201d Singh said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s free, it\u2019s effective and it could make a lasting difference.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Two confirmed dead after light plane crashes in Queensland<\/p>\n 1 min read<\/p>\n