A major new study has revealed that regular aerobic exercise significantly reduces symptoms of depression in adolescents aged 14 to 18, offering fresh hope for Thai families and educators grappling with the rising tide of youth mental health challenges. Reporting in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Norwegian researchers found that ramping up physical activity during these formative years may protect teens from developing depressive symptoms—a finding with powerful implications for Thailand’s youth and broader society (Psychology Today).
This research—based on the longstanding Trondheim Early Secure Study (TESS)—tracked 873 children from age 6 to 18, with in-depth follow-ups every two years. The breakthrough finding was that more intense physical activity did not correlate with reduced depressive symptoms until the teenage years, specifically between ages 14 and 18. Before this period, particularly in early adolescence (ages 10–14), exercise did not appear to confer the same mental health benefits (News-Medical).
Adolescent depression is an escalating concern in Thailand, where both societal and academic pressures often intensify during secondary school years. According to recent statistics from the Department of Mental Health, nearly 1 in 5 Thai adolescents report symptoms consistent with depression or anxiety, often leading to academic disruptions or more severe outcomes (WHO Thailand). As many Thai families look for ways to foster wellbeing and resilience, understanding the right timing and intensity of physical activity could be transformative.
The findings indicate a clear turning point: “Although we found that physical activity seems to protect against depression symptoms in adolescence, this did not apply to young adolescents aged 10–14,” explained the study’s lead author, a Norwegian professor of psychology, in a May 2025 news release. “This finding was true for teens who were 14 to 16 years old and 16 to 18 years old. Both the sum of daily physical activity and the proportion that is more intense… turned out to protect against symptoms of depression,” the author added.
Vigorous workouts and overall physical activity were specifically linked to reduced risk of depression, while teens diagnosed with major depressive disorder were found to be less active overall. The study’s longitudinal design allowed researchers to follow individual teens over a decade, helping to clarify that increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) preceded reductions in depressive symptoms—not just that less-depressed youth happen to move more.
For Thailand, where mental health stigma and lack of resources often make diagnosis and treatment challenging, the role of affordable, accessible interventions like exercise is especially pertinent. According to a specialist at the Faculty of Psychology at a leading Bangkok university, “Integrating structured aerobic activity into Thai secondary schools could help buffer against the psychological impacts of exam stress, social change, and technology overuse among adolescents.”
The cultural context of exercise also plays a role. In Thailand, physical activity in schools often centers on group sports, traditional dance, or daily calisthenics. However, these are sometimes deprioritized in later grades as academic demands increase. The Ministry of Education’s current drive to increase physical education time faces challenges from both school schedules and parental focus on university admissions (Bangkok Post).
The study’s results echo broader international findings. A meta-analysis published earlier this year concluded that vigorous exercise could reduce depressive symptoms in both adolescents and young adults (PubMed). Another review highlighted the effectiveness of physical activity as a complement to standard depression treatments, stressing that the benefit increases with exercise intensity (Frontiers in Psychology).
Thailand’s health authorities have pointed to a sharp drop in adolescent physical activity during the Covid-19 pandemic, with many students now spending hours online for study and recreation. Consequently, the emerging evidence that exercise’s mental health benefits “kick in” during late adolescence should inform school and community efforts to engage young people in more active lifestyles—not as a luxury, but as a preventative mental health intervention.
Historically, Thai society has revered physical wellness through traditional Muay Thai, sports days, and temple-based community activities. However, the modern urban lifestyle—especially in Bangkok and Chiang Mai—has altered the landscape, with many adolescents citing lack of time or access to suitable spaces as barriers.
Looking ahead, integrating robust physical activity into the national school curriculum for students age 14 and up could serve as a crucial step. In fact, programs that combine aerobic exercise with social connection and traditional Thai values may offer the best approach. A Thai public health official recommends: “We must shift from thinking of exercise as punishment or just as sports day. It should be a daily routine, designed to appeal to teenagers—mixing music, movement, and even new digital fitness tools.”
For families and educators, this new research offers practical steps: Encourage daily movement, support teens in finding enjoyable forms of aerobic activity, and promote community initiatives—whether it’s running, dance, cycling, or a friendly football match. Unlike expensive interventions, exercise is low-cost and low-risk, making it a viable strategy for both rural and urban communities.
The TESS study also underlines that the mental health impact of physical activity is not instant but accumulates over time, requiring consistent effort and a supportive environment from families and schools. Importantly, while the research suggests strong protective benefits, it does not indicate that exercise should replace clinical treatment for severe depression, but rather complement it.
Given Thailand’s demographic trends—with a growing cohort of teens entering the critical 14–18 age bracket—this finding serves as a timely reminder for national and local policy-makers. Programs that blend contemporary exercise science with Thai cultural traditions, family engagement, and supportive peer networks will be vital to reverse rising depression rates among youth.
In summary, as the evidence base for exercise as an “antidepressant” for teens grows, Thailand is well-positioned to lead the region in innovative, culture-based solutions for youth mental health. Schools and communities should redouble efforts to make exercise appealing, accessible, and integral to everyday life for everyone in the 14–18 age group.
For practical action, Thai parents and teachers can start by modeling active routines, creating friendly fitness challenges, and collaborating with local health and education offices to improve access to safe recreational spaces. Policymakers should prioritize physical education in budgets and strategies for adolescent wellbeing, and work to destigmatize mental health struggles in teens.
For more on the science behind exercise and mental health, readers can consult (Psychology Today), review summaries at (News-Medical), and explore educational resources available through the World Health Organization’s Thailand office (WHO Thailand).