Effects of different exercise types on university students’mental and physical health: A systematic review

Abstract

University students face increasing mental and physical health challenges due to academic pressure, sedentary lifestyles, and psychosocial stressors. Exercise has been widely recognized as an effective strategy to improve overall health; however, limited research has systematically compared the differential effects of various exercise types in university populations. This systematic review aims to synthesize recent evidence on the effects of different exercise types on university students’ mental and physical health and to identify their specific and combined benefits. This review followed PRISMA guidelines and conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, ProQuest Education & Psychology Journals, and EBSCO Discovery Service databases for peer-reviewed articles published between January 2020 and January 2026. A total of 3,314 records were identified, and after screening and eligibility assessment, 29 studies were included. Exercise interventions were classified into four categories based on the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) framework: aerobic exercise, resistance training, flexibility training, and neuromotor exercise. The findings demonstrate that aerobic exercise consistently improves cardiovascular fitness and reduces stress, anxiety, and negative behaviors. Resistance training enhances muscular strength, self-image, and psychological resilience. Flexibility exercises, such as yoga, improve joint mobility and emotional regulation, while neuromotor exercises, including Tai Chi and Baduanjin, effectively reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms and enhance balance and autonomic regulation. Importantly, combined exercise interventions appear to produce synergistic effects, contributing to more comprehensive improvements in both mental and physical health. In conclusion, different exercise types provide distinct yet complementary health benefits, and integrated exercise programs may offer the most effective approach for improving university students’ overall health. These findings support the implementation of diversified and combined exercise interventions in university health promotion strategies.