Exercise should be treated as a frontline therapy for depression and anxiety, according to a major new analysis of global research led by James Cook University and published by the BMJ Group. The umbrella review pooled data from more than 1,000 studies and nearly 80,000 participants, finding that physical activity reduced symptoms across all age groups, from children to older adults, in both clinical and non-clinical populations. Aerobic exercise in group or supervised settings delivered the strongest benefits for depression, while shorter, lower-intensity programs were most effective for anxiety. Researchers say the evidence now supports prescribing tailored exercise programs with the same confidence as drugs or psychotherapy, particularly where traditional treatment is hard to access. Read the full report via Bicycle Network’s coverage here.