56. Running exercise on depressive mood in english major college students

Abstract Background Depression is increasingly prevalent among college students, and English majors face heightened risks due to intensive language training, cross-cultural adaptation pressures, and career uncertainties. Physical exercise, particularly aerobic activities, has been proven to alleviate depressive symptoms. However, intervention studies targeting specific academic populations—especially those exploring underlying psychological mechanisms—remain scarce. This research therefore focuses on English majors, examining the psychological pathways through which regular running improves depressive mood. The study aims to provide empirical support and tailored strategies for promoting mental health among English majors. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Eighty-four English majors with a Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) score ≥ 53 were recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 42) or a control group (n = 42). Both groups received general mental health education. The experimental group additionally completed an 8-week running intervention: 30-40 minutes of moderate-intensity running (60%-75% of maximum heart rate), three times per week, with supervised attendance. The control group maintained their usual routines. Assessments using the SDS, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were conducted at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1). Data were analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA via SPSS 26.0 Twenty experimental participants were interviewed post-intervention; data were analyzed thematically. Results Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant time-by-group interactions for both SDS and BDI-II scores (p