Objective : To compare the clinical efficacy of four traditional Chinese fitness exercises, Baduanjin, Tai Chi, Wuqinxi and Yijinjing, in regulating depressive symptoms by means of network meta-analysis, so as to provide scientific basis for formulating exercise prescriptions for regulating depressive symptoms. Methods : A comprehensive search of CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, Cochrane library and Web of Science databases was conducted to search for published experimental studies on the regulation of depressive symptoms with four traditional Chinese fitness exercises. According to the Cochrane handbook standard, the literature quality evaluation and bias risk assessment of the included studies were carried out, and the network meta-analysis of the included literature was carried out by using Stata software. Results : A total of 41 articles and 44 experimental studies were included, 1601 in the experimental group and 1667 in the control group.The results of network meta-analysis showed that for the outcome index SDS, the improvement effect of Yijinjing on its score was significantly better than that of the control group, and the difference was significant [ SMD = -0.88,95 % CI ( -1.70, -0.06 ) ] ; for HAMD, the improvement effect of Baduanjin on its score was significantly better than that of the control group, and the difference was significant [ SMD = -1.32,95 % CI ( -2.31, -0.32 ) ] ; for SCL-90, the improvement effect of Tai Chi on its score was significantly better than that of the control group, and the difference was significant [ SMD = -0.55,95 % CI ( -1.05, -0.06 ) ].The probability of exercise mode with the best intervention effect on the outcome index SDS score was ranked as follows : Taijiquan ( 71.3 ) > Yijinjing ( 68.6 ) > Baduanjin ( 54.6 ) > Wuqinxi ( 43.4 ) > no intervention / other intervention ( 12.1 ) ; the probability of exercise mode with the best intervention effect on the outcome index HAMD score was : Baduanjin ( 70.1 ) > Wuqinxi ( 69.4 ) > Yijinjing ( 55.1 ) > Tai Chi ( 49.1 ) > no intervention / other intervention ( 6.3 ) ; the probability of exercise mode with the best intervention effect on the outcome index SCL-90 score was : Taijiquan ( 68.0 ) > Baduanjin ( 62.9 ) > Yijinjing ( 61.8 ) > Wuqinxi ( 48.8 ) > no intervention / other intervention ( 8.5 ).Conclusion : Four kinds of traditional fitness exercises have a certain effect on regulating the depressive symptoms of the subjects ; compared with other interventions, Tai Chi has the most significant effect on regulating the indicators of depressive symptoms ( SDS, SCL-90 ). Baduanjin has the best effect on regulating depressive symptoms ( HAMD ). Therefore, for people with depressive symptoms, Baduanjin and Tai Chi can be selected for intervention. In view of the limitations of this study, future related research needs to limit the characteristics of the subjects, and further explore the effects of regulatory variables such as intervention frequency and cycle on the parameters of depressive symptoms in the subjects. In addition, in order to enhance the credibility of the research results, subsequent related research should choose a larger and more scientific sample size to supplement.