What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Meta-Analysis. Population: Mental and neurocognitive disorders (n=4007638). Intervention: High cardiorespiratory fitness vs. Low cardiorespiratory fitness. Primary outcome: Risk of depression (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.56-0.74).

What question did this study set out to answer?

This review aims to evaluate the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and the risk of mental and neurocognitive disorders across different age groups.

March 21, 2026Open Access

Cardiorespiratory fitness and risk of mental disorders and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Resultado clave

High cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with a reduced risk of depression (HR 0.64), all-cause dementia (HR 0.61), and psychotic disorders (HR 0.71) compared to low fitness in adults.

Puntos clave

This review aims to evaluate the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and the risk of mental and neurocognitive disorders across different age groups.
Conducted a systematic review of cohort studies
Included 27 studies with 4,007,638 individuals
Analyzed associations between cardiorespiratory fitness levels and mental health outcomes
High cardiorespiratory fitness associated with a reduced risk of depression (HR = 0.64)
High cardiorespiratory fitness linked to lower risk of all-cause dementia (HR = 0.61)
Each additional metabolic equivalent of task (1 MET) linked to lower risks of depression (HR = 0.95) and dementia (HR = 0.81)

Diseño del estudio

Tipo

Meta-Analysis (n=4,007,638)

PICO estructurado

Does high cardiorespiratory fitness reduce the risk of mental disorders and dementia in the general population?

Población

General population across all age groups

Intervención

High cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) or 1 MET higher level of CRF

Comparador

Low cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF)

Resultado

Risk of mental and neurocognitive disorders (depression, all-cause dementia, psychotic disorders, and anxiety)

Higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing depression, all-cause dementia, and psychotic disorders, highlighting its potential utility as a marker for mental and neurocognitive health.

Resultado numérico

Estimación del efecto: HR 0.64 (95% CI 0.56-0.74)

Limitaciones

Limited number of available studies restricted the ability to explore or complete subgroup analyses
Moderate to substantial between-study heterogeneity
Residual confounding due to mostly unmeasured factors
Subgroup analyses by age were based on aggregated study-level data
Most cohorts consisted predominantly of white participants
Evidence for psychotic disorders was derived exclusively from two male conscript cohorts

Resumen

Abstract Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is a strong indicator of overall physical health, but its relevance for mental and neurocognitive health across the life course remains unclear. Here we synthesize evidence from cohort studies examining the associations between CRF and the risk of mental and neurocognitive disorders across all age groups in the general population. Twenty-seven studies comprising 4,007,638 individuals were included. Compared with low CRF, high CRF was associated with a reduced risk of depression (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.56–0.74), all-cause dementia (HR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.55–0.68) and psychotic disorders (HR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.65–0.77) in adults. A one metabolic equivalent of task (1 MET; 3.5 ml kg −1 min −1 ) higher level of CRF was associated with lower risks of depression (HR = 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92–0.98) and all-cause dementia (HR = 0.81; 95% CI: 0.67–0.98). Overall certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. These findings suggest that CRF may be a useful marker for identifying adults at increased risk of depression, dementia and psychotic disorders, highlighting the need for further large-scale longitudinal studies.

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Cite This Study

Díaz-Goñi et al. (Fri,) conducted a meta-analysis in Mental and neurocognitive disorders (n=4,007,638). High cardiorespiratory fitness vs. Low cardiorespiratory fitness was evaluated on Risk of depression (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.56-0.74). High cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with a reduced risk of depression (HR 0.64), all-cause dementia (HR 0.61), and psychotic disorders (HR 0.71) compared to low fitness in adults.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69be37726e48c4981c677284 https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-026-00599-4

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