Weekend warrior physical activity engagement and the risk of mental health conditions: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Background and aims

Regular moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) offers mental health benefits, with guidelines recommending 150 minutes weekly. However, many struggle to meet this standard. The weekend warrior (WW) approach, which involves reaching this activity level in one or two days, may lower the risk of mental health conditions, but evidence is limited. This study reviews if the WW pattern reduces risks of mental disorders compared to regular physical activity (RPA) and inactivity.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted on October 30, 2025, for studies on WW PA and mental health conditions. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Narrative synthesis was employed for data synthesis.

Results

Twelve studies (eight cross-sectional, four prospective cohort) were included, mostly focusing on depression (N = 8). A narrative synthesis found that 10 studies confirmed the comparable association of WW and RPA with lower rates of depression and anxiety. All cohort studies (NOS Mean: 9 ± 0) and most cross-sectional studies (5.12 ± 0.64) were high quality. Inconsistent results may be partially explained by varying definitions of WW and populations, suggesting moderating effects of factors such as age and sex. Several studies indicate a U-shaped relationship between MVPA and mental health, but the evidence remains insufficient.

Conclusions

WW seems to have a comparable association with a lower risk of depression when compared to RPA. However, there is limited information regarding its impact on other mental health conditions. To gain a deeper understanding of this association, future research, particularly longitudinal studies and trials, is essential.