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Higher childhood fitness links to 13% lower adult depression risk

By Drooid · Oct 5, 2026, 3:58 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Researchers at University of Tasmania and Adelaide University found higher childhood cardiorespiratory fitness lowers adult depression risk.
A one-standard-deviation increase in fitness corresponded to a 13 % lower depression risk in adulthood.
The association was strongest for cardiorespiratory fitness and was greater among females.
Researchers stressed the study is observational and cannot prove low fitness causes later depression.

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Story summary

Researchers at University of Tasmania and Adelaide University found higher childhood cardiorespiratory fitness lowers adult depression risk.
A one-standard-deviation increase in fitness corresponded to a 13 % lower depression risk in adulthood.
The association was strongest for cardiorespiratory fitness and was greater among females.
Researchers stressed the study is observational and cannot prove low fitness causes later depression.