Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Korea has ranked first in the OECD, with a prevalence of 36.8% of depression. Thus, this study aimed to estimate the effect size of physical activity as an alternative tool for depression symptoms using meta-analysis. A meta-analysis on depressive symptoms was performed on 18 studies published in Korean domestic journals. The moderating variables hypothesized in this study included age groups of participants; depressive symptoms; and frequency, intensity, time, type, and duration of the intervention. The overall effect size of physical activity on depression was moderate (0.56 [95% CI: 0.39 to 0.91]). Specifically, physical activity was slightly more effective in reducing depression in participants with an 18-64 age group compared to older people over 65 years old, while it was most effective for participants without depressive symptoms compared to participants with mild and severe symptoms. Further, the subgroup analysis revealed that performing two times a week for 30 to 60 min with progressive intensity for 1-8 weeks may be the most effective for Koreans. The results of this study can provide guidelines for the most effective physical activity program for Koreans.
Keywords: depression; exercise; mental health; physical activity; quality of life; randomized controlled trials.