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

Yang Yang; Yuping Zhu; Bolin Chen; Yun Li; Hansen Li; Guodong Zhang

doi:10.56639/jsar.1720636

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

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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References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Sport and Exercise Psychology, Physical Activity and Health

Journal Section

Systematic Reviews and Meta Analysis

Authors

Yang Yang
0009-0005-0450-7989
China

Yuping Zhu
0009-0002-9995-7234
China

Bolin Chen
0009-0005-4486-5780
China

Yun Li
0000-0003-1160-8786
China

Hansen Li
0000-0002-6147-1362
China

Guodong Zhang ^*
0000-0003-4090-9123
China

Early Pub Date

December 15, 2025

Publication Date

December 30, 2025

Submission Date

June 18, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 4, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 7 Number: 4

DOI

https://doi.org/10.56639/jsar.1720636

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA89AR82YJ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

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. Journal of Sport for All and Recreation, 7(4), 777-787. https://doi.org/10.56639/jsar.1720636

AMA

1.Yang Y, Zhu Y, Chen B, Li Y, Li H, Zhang G. Effects of Physical Exercise on Depression and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodent Models of Maternal Separation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JSAR. 2025;7(4):777-787. doi:10.56639/jsar.1720636

Chicago

Yang, Yang, Yuping Zhu, Bolin Chen, Yun Li, Hansen Li, and Guodong Zhang. 2025. “Effects of Physical Exercise on Depression and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodent Models of Maternal Separation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”. Journal of Sport for All and Recreation 7 (4): 777-87. https://doi.org/10.56639/jsar.1720636.

EndNote

Yang Y, Zhu Y, Chen B, Li Y, Li H, Zhang G (December 1, 2025) Effects of Physical Exercise on Depression and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodent Models of Maternal Separation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Sport for All and Recreation 7 4 777–787.

IEEE

[1]Y. Yang, Y. Zhu, B. Chen, Y. Li, H. Li, and G. Zhang, “Effects of Physical Exercise on Depression and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodent Models of Maternal Separation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”, JSAR, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 777–787, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.56639/jsar.1720636.

ISNAD

Yang, Yang - Zhu, Yuping - Chen, Bolin - Li, Yun - Li, Hansen - Zhang, Guodong. “Effects of Physical Exercise on Depression and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodent Models of Maternal Separation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”. Journal of Sport for All and Recreation 7/4 (December 1, 2025): 777-787. https://doi.org/10.56639/jsar.1720636.

JAMA

1.Yang Y, Zhu Y, Chen B, Li Y, Li H, Zhang G. Effects of Physical Exercise on Depression and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodent Models of Maternal Separation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JSAR. 2025;7:777–787.

MLA

Yang, Yang, et al. “Effects of Physical Exercise on Depression and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodent Models of Maternal Separation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”. Journal of Sport for All and Recreation, vol. 7, no. 4, Dec. 2025, pp. 777-8, doi:10.56639/jsar.1720636.

Vancouver

1.Yang Yang, Yuping Zhu, Bolin Chen, Yun Li, Hansen Li, Guodong Zhang. Effects of Physical Exercise on Depression and Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodent Models of Maternal Separation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JSAR. 2025 Dec. 1;7(4):777-8. doi:10.56639/jsar.1720636