82. The regulating effect of track and field training on the mental health of patients with depression
Chengliang Wang, X. Feng · Schizophrenia Bulletin · 2026
Abstract Background Depression is a highly prevalent mental disorder in the world. The China Mental Health Survey shows that the lifetime prevalence of depressive disorder among Chinese adults is 6.8%, of which 3.4% is depression. Drug resistance and side effects are prone to occur in drug treatment, and there is an urgent need for non-drug intervention. Existing research has confirmed the improvement effect of exercise on depression, but there are few specific studies focusing on Track And Field Training (TAFT). To clarify the regulating effect of TAFT on the mental health of patients with depression and the optimal intervention plan, the study set up different track and field experimental groups and control groups, and evaluated the effects through standardized scales combined with physiological indicators, aiming to clarify the regulatory effect of TAFT on depressive symptoms, anxiety and self-efficacy. Methods The study selected 120 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for depression in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), aged 18-55 years, with a Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) score of 20-35 points, and excluded those with severe physical illnesses and exercise contraindications. Using the numerical table method, the participants were segmented into three groups: a high-intensity group of 40 (HIG), a moderate intensity group of 40 (MIG), and a control group of 40 (CG). The experimental group trains three times a week for 60 minutes each time, including 10-minute warm-up, 40-minute core training (track and field combinations such as jogging, hurdle walking, and standing long jump), and 10-minute relaxation, lasting for 12 weeks; The CG only kept the original drug treatment. The testing phase is divided into pre-intervention (T0), intervention for 6 weeks (T1), and intervention for 12 weeks (T2). The psychological state assessment scales for each stage include HAMD, General Self Efficacy Scale (GSES), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). Results The data of the mental status test demonstrated that at T2, the HAMD score of the HIG decreased from 28.6 ± 3.2 points to 12.3 ± 2.5 points, the MIG decreased from 27.9 ± 3.0 points to 15.1 ± 2.8 points, and the CG decreased from 28.1 ± 3.1 points to 21.4 ± 2.9 points. Inter group comparison showed that the improvement of the above indicators in the training group was superior to that in the CG (p<.01), and the HIG was better than the MIG (p<.05). Discussion Research has confirmed that 12 weeks of TAFT can improve depression, anxiety symptoms, and self-efficacy in depression patients, and high-intensity training has the best effect. Future research can extend the follow-up period to verify the sustainability of the effect, explore the synergistic effect of TAFT and drug combination intervention, and optimize training programs for patients of different ages and disease durations.