Neurobiological mechanisms for the antidepressant effects of mind-body and physical exercises: A systematic review

•This review synthesized the evidence for neurobiological mechanisms of the antidepressant effects of exercises from RCTs.•Both mind-body and physical exercises might alleviate depressive symptoms through the HPA axis activity and neurogenesis.•Only mind-body exercise was shown to decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines, whereas physical exercise could improve CRF.•Brain activity and hippocampal volume might be related to the antidepressant effects of mind-body and physical exercises.