Network meta-analysis of the effects of traditional Chinese fitness exercises on mental health and physical benefits among college students
- 1Wushu College, Henan University , ,
- 2Department of Basic Teaching, Shandong Vocational Animal Science and Veterinary College , ,
- 3Department of Police Physical Education, The National Police University for Criminal Justice , ,
Abstract
Background: Traditional Chinese fitness exercises may benefit college students’ mental and physical health, but their comparative effectiveness across exercise modalities and outcomes remains unclear.
Objective: To compare traditional Chinese fitness exercises across mental health, body composition, and cardiorespiratory outcomes in college students.
Methods: Eight databases were searched from inception through September 8, 2026. Eligible RCTs in college students were assessed with RoB 2 and synthesized using Bayesian network meta-analysis.
Results: A total of 69 RCTs involving 6,065 college students were included. For depression, Tai Chi (TC, 95.40%), Yijin Jing (YJJ, 85.40%), and Baduanjin (BDJ, 69.23%) ranked highest, with several significant pairwise comparisons. For anxiety, TC significantly outperformed blank control (BC) and ranked highest (88.82%). Other traditional exercises (OTE, 84.53%), Wuqinxi (WQX, 67.72%), and Liuzijue + physical intervention (LZJ + PI, 65.82%) ranked highest for vital capacity (VC); Xingyiquan (XYQ, 82.89%) and Mawangdui Daoyinshu (MWDY, 82.07%) for VO ₂ max; and OTE (82.52%) and XYQ (78.81%) for the step test index. TC ranked highest for body fat rate (BFR, 86.35%), whereas LZJ (81.27%), WQX (72.38%), and PI (65.44%) ranked highest for body mass index (BMI). Surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) rankings should be interpreted alongside effect sizes and 95% CrIs.
Conclusion: Traditional Chinese fitness exercises may provide multidimensional benefits, with comparative advantages varying by outcome. Exercise selection should be outcome-oriented rather than based on a single universally optimal modality.
Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view , identifier CRD420261290192.
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BibTeX
@article{wang2026network,
title = {{Network meta-analysis of the effects of traditional Chinese fitness exercises on mental health and physical benefits among college students}},
author = {Nan Wang and Hao Hong and Maolin Dong and Yaoshu Li and Lisha Lan and Junjian Zheng},
journal = {Frontiers in psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1921373},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13690765},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Network meta-analysis of the effects of traditional Chinese fitness exercises on mental health and physical benefits among college students
AU - Nan Wang
AU - Hao Hong
AU - Maolin Dong
AU - Yaoshu Li
AU - Lisha Lan
AU - Junjian Zheng
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/09
JO - Frontiers in psychiatry
DO - 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1921373
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13690765
AB - Background: Traditional Chinese fitness exercises may benefit college students’ mental and physical health, but their comparative effectiveness across exercise modalities and outcomes remains unclear. Objective: To compare traditional Chinese fitness exercises across mental health, body composition, and cardiorespiratory outcomes in college students. Methods: Eight databases were searched from inception through September 8, 2026. Eligible RCTs in college students were assessed with RoB 2 and synthesized using Bayesian network meta-analysis. Results: A total of 69 RCTs involving 6,065 college students were included. For depression, Tai Chi (TC, 95.40%), Yijin Jing (YJJ, 85.40%), and Baduanjin (BDJ, 69.23%) ranked highest, with several significant pairwise comparisons. For anxiety, TC significantly outperformed blank control (BC) and ranked highest (88.82%). Other traditional exercises (OTE, 84.53%), Wuqinxi (WQX, 67.72%), and Liuzijue + physical intervention (LZJ + PI, 65.82%) ranked highest for vital capacity (VC); Xingyiquan (XYQ, 82.89%) and Mawangdui Daoyinshu (MWDY, 82.07%) for VO ₂ max; and OTE (82.52%) and XYQ (78.81%) for the step test index. TC ranked highest for body fat rate (BFR, 86.35%), whereas LZJ (81.27%), WQX (72.38%), and PI (65.44%) ranked highest for body mass index (BMI). Surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) rankings should be interpreted alongside effect sizes and 95% CrIs. Conclusion: Traditional Chinese fitness exercises may provide multidimensional benefits, with comparative advantages varying by outcome. Exercise selection should be outcome-oriented rather than based on a single universally optimal modality. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view , identifier CRD420261290192.
SN - 1664-0640
ER -