Date

Fall 12-1-2025

Advisor

Dr. Dustin Dunnick

Program Director

Dr. Rockie Pederson

Document Type

Paper

Abstract

Anxiety and depression have become increasingly prevalent among college students, with rates rising to levels that demand urgent and accessible treatment alternatives. Traditional interventions such as psychotherapy and pharmacological treatments, while effective for many, present limitations including high cost, side effects, and barriers to access. This paper examines exercise as a holistic, evidence-based treatment modality for reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in college students. Recent research demonstrates that aerobic exercise, resistance training, and yoga each produce meaningful physiological and psychological benefits through mechanisms involving neurotransmitter regulation, reduced cortisol levels, and enhanced self-esteem. Studies comparing exercise with antidepressant medications show that while medication may produce faster initial improvements, exercise achieves comparable long-term outcomes without adverse effects. Subgroup analyses further reveal a dose-response relationship in which higher exercise frequency, moderate-to-high intensity, and longer intervention duration yield the greatest symptom reduction. Collectively, the literature suggests that structured physical activity is a viable, accessible, and sustainable treatment option for college students experiencing mental health challenges. However, additional long-term, large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to establish precise exercise prescriptions and to evaluate exercise as a primary treatment strategy relative to standard clinical care.

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