Esther Bui

Comparing benefits of aerobic vs. strength training on mental health in adolescents

Started July 20, 2022

Abstract or project description

Research on non-pharmacologic approaches to improve mental health in adolescents are lacking. Exercise has been proposed to improve mental health outcomes in adults. However, its impact on adolescents and the type of exercise that provides the most benefit are unclear. Esther will perform a systematic review of the literature to find randomized, controlled clinical trials that have attempted to address this question. She will collate trials that compare either aerobic or strength training vs. placebo or directly comparing aerobic vs. strength training. She will learn how mental health outcomes are objectively measured (e.g. standardized questionnaires (PHQ-9), symptom severity/frequency, psychiatric hospitalizations, need for pharmacologic treatment). In her review, she will comment on patterns across recent clinical trials, critique the quality of each study, and propose further questions that have yet to be answered by the literature.