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Journals / Herkes için Spor ve Rekreasyon Dergisi / 2025 / Volume: 7 Issue: 4

Effects of Physical Exercise on Depression and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodent Models of Maternal Separation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Yang Yang(southwest university)0009-0005-0450-7989
Yuping Zhu(southwest university)0009-0002-9995-7234
Bolin Chen(southwest university)0009-0005-4486-5780
Yun Li(southwest university)0000-0003-1160-8786
Hansen Li(Sichuan Agricultural University)0000-0002-6147-1362
Guodong Zhang(College of Physical Education, Southwest University)0000-0003-4090-9123
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-12-30
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

These findings support the therapeutic potential of exercise in mitigating the long-term behavioral sequelae of early-life stress.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Early-life maternal separation (MS) in rodents has been associated with long-term disruptions in psychological development, potentially increasing susceptibility to mood and anxiety disorders.
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Key Findings & Data:Fourteen studies comprising 18 independent datasets met inclusion criteria.
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Conclusion & Impact:These findings support the therapeutic potential of exercise in mitigating the long-term behavioral sequelae of early-life stress.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:maternal separation · exercise · depression

Abstract

Early-life maternal separation (MS) in rodents has been associated with long-term disruptions in psychological development, potentially increasing susceptibility to mood and anxiety disorders. Exercise has been proposed as a non-pharmacologic intervention capable of mitigating behavioral disturbances induced by early-life stress. However, the efficacy of exercise across various behavioral domains and experimental paradigms in MS models remains incompletely characterized.We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical studies evaluating the effects of exercise on depression- and anxiety-like behaviors in rodent models of maternal separation. Behavioral assessments included the Forced Swim Test (FST) and Open Field Test (OFT) for depressive phenotypes, and the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) for anxiety-related outcomes. Fourteen studies comprising 18 independent datasets met inclusion criteria. Of these, 11 reported FST outcomes, 3 reported OFT data, and 4 included EPM measures.Exercise significantly reduced immobility time in the FST among MS-exposed rodents (mean difference, −63.64 seconds; 95% CI, −84.21 to −43.06; P < 0.00001), indicating attenuation of depression-like behavior. In the OFT, exercise was associated with increased exploratory activity (mean difference, 44.32 units; 95% CI, 30.86 to 57.78; P < 0.00001). A nonsignificant trend toward reduced anxiety-like behavior was observed in the EPM (mean difference,26.23,95% CI, 16.14to36.32, P < 0.00001). Substantial heterogeneity was observed, likely reflecting variation in MS protocols and exercise regimens.In rodent models of maternal separation, physical exercise is associated with significant reductions in depression-like behavior and increased exploratory activity, with a potential—though inconclusive—benefit for anxiety-related outcomes. These findings support the therapeutic potential of exercise in mitigating the long-term behavioral sequelae of early-life stress.

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Cite This Article

Yang, Y., Zhu, Y., Chen, B., Li, Y., Li, H., Zhang, G. (2025). Effects of Physical Exercise on Depression and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodent Models of Maternal Separation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Herkes için Spor ve Rekreasyon Dergisi, Volume: 7 Issue: 4. https://doi.org/10.56639/jsar.1720636

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