scholarly journals The relationship between physical activity and mental health varies across activity intensity levels and dimensions of mental health among women and men

2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1207-1214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melinda Asztalos ◽  
Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽  
Greet Cardon

AbstractObjectiveTo explore gender-specific variations related to activity intensity in the relationship between physical activity (PA) and mental health (MH). Evaluating whether psychological well-being enhances with increases in PA at recommended levels and above, in the general population.DesignCross-sectional.SettingPopulation-based, representative for Belgium.SubjectsA total of 6803 adults aged 25–64 years from the Belgian National Health Interview Survey.ResultsMultiple logistic regression analyses showed that clearly different intensity levels characterised the PA that associated with MH in women and men. In men, inverse associations existed between participation in vigorous-intensity PA and feelings of depression (OR = 0·580; 95 % CI 0·405, 0·830), anxiety (OR = 0·547; 95 % CI 0·364, 0·821) and symptoms of somatisation (OR = 0·590; 95 % CI 0·398, 0·874). In women, positive associations existed between walking and emotional well-being (OR = 1·202; 95 % CI 1·038, 1·394) and inverse associations between participation in moderate-intensity PA and symptoms of somatisation (OR = 0·737; 95 % CI 0·556, 0·977). Secondary analyses confirmed that differences in psychological complaints were significant for vigorous PA in men, and for moderate PA in women, whereas differences in emotional well-being were significant for walking exclusively in women.ConclusionsIn the general population, the PA–MH relationship is always positive, regardless of activity intensity. In men, it addresses complaints (symptoms, palpable discomfort) and the optimal PA intensity is high. In women, it addresses complaints, but also distress (lowered mood, disturbing anxiety, altered well-being) and the PA intensity is mild.

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-70
Author(s):  
Kristine Klussman ◽  
Julia Langer ◽  
Austin Lee Nichols

Abstract. Background: Most people are comfortable asserting the beneficial effects of physical exercise on mental health and well-being. However, little research has examined how different types of physical activity affect these outcomes. Aims: The current study sought to provide a comprehensive understanding of the differential relationships between different types of physical activity and various aspects of health and well-being. In addition, we sought to understand the role of self-connection in these relationships. Method: One hundred forty-three participants completed a questionnaire designed to measure their current weekly activity as well as their current health and well-being. Specifically, we examined three intensities of activity (walking, moderate, and vigorous) and three types of activity (team-based, community-based, and not team nor community-based) on self-reported health, anxiety, depression, affect, flourishing, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and meaning in life. In addition, we examined self-connection as a possible moderator of these relationships. Results: Results suggested that physical activity was inconsistently related to health and well-being, and activity intensity and type were important to understanding these relationships. In contrast, self-connection reliably related to health and well-being and moderated the relationship between activity type and the presence of meaning. Limitations: The cross-sectional, self-report nature of the study limits its contribution. In addition, we only examined a subset of all physical activities that people engage in. Conclusion: In all, results suggest that the relationships between physical activity, mental health, and well-being are tenuous, at best. Future research needs to examine these relationships further and continue to examine self-connection to determine how to best increase health and well-being through physical activity.


Author(s):  
Eric Shamus ◽  
Gillian Cohen

The purpose of this paper is to review the current literature to examine the effects of various forms of physical activity upon mental health. A literature review was conducted to examine specific findings of the relationship between exercise (aerobic and anaerobic) and psychological well being. It was found that aerobic exercise performed at a moderate intensity produces significantly greater positive psychological outcomes than does either high intensity aerobic exercise or anaerobic exercise. Additionally, no specific differences were discovered between various methods of aerobic exercise as long as it is conducted for over 20 minutes continuously. Low impact aerobic exercise, such as yoga or meditation was also found to have positive effects on mental health. Various mechanisms underlying the mood boosting effects of exercise are also briefly examined.


Author(s):  
Mireia Felez-Nobrega ◽  
Judit Bort-Roig ◽  
Ruimin Ma ◽  
Eugenia Romano ◽  
Matthew Faires ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Most of theevidence has focused on examining the influence of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity on mental health, but he role of light intensity physical activity (LIPA) is less understood. The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the relationship between time spent in LIPA and mental ill health across the lifespan. Methods Data were obtained from online databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus, PsychInfo and CINAHL). The search and collection of eligible studies was conducted up to May 28, 2020. Observational studies conducted in the general population and reporting on the association between LIPA (1.6–2.9 metabolic equivalents; either self-reported or device-based measured) and mental ill health were included. Results Twenty-two studies were included in the review (16 cross-sectional and 6 longitudinal). In older adults (≥ 65 years) and adults (18–64 years), the evidence examining the relationship between LIPA and depressive symptoms is mixed. Data on anxiety, psychological distress and overall mental health are scarce, and results are inconclusive. There is no evidence suggesting favorable associations between LIPA and anxiety in college students. Finally, very limited data was found in adolescents (11–17 years) (n = 2 studies) and children (6–10 years) (n = 2 studies), but the evidence suggests that LIPA does not influence mental health outcomes in these age groups. Conclusions This review provided mostly cross-sectional evidence indicating that LIPA may not be associated with mental health outcomes across age groups. Future research efforts employing prospective research designs are warranted to better understand the role of LIPA on mental ill health across age groups.


Author(s):  
Vanessa Teixeira da Solidade ◽  
Victor Matheus Santos do Nascimento ◽  
Davi Pereira Monte Oliveira ◽  
Michele Caroline de Souza Ribas ◽  
Ricardo Aurélio Carvalho Sampaio ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to identify evidence regarding associations between School Physical Activity (PA) and Mental Health (MH) in Brazilian school-aged adolescents. This is a systematic review study. Studies were selected in Portuguese and English and identified by a systematic search in six electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus / Ebsco, ScIELO, ERIC, and LILACS, which comprised publications until 2019. Inclusion criteria were: studies with cohort, descriptive, cross-sectional or qualitative design; performed with children and adolescents; studies that analyzed the relationship between PA and MH; studies that investigated adolescents who practiced PA in schools; studies carried out in Brazil; and studies that reached minimum of 60% of methodological quality criteria according to STROBE. Physical education, as curricular activity in basic education, has protective effect on MH in the school setting. In addition, more than 300 min/week of PA was positively associated with MH; while associations between PA and excessive TV time; social isolation; and body weight dissatisfaction were negatively associated. School PA is positively associated with MH as it promotes physical and psychological well-being, impacting on the reduction of insomnia rates, attenuating loneliness and improving physical appearance.


Author(s):  
Georgia A. Bird ◽  
Mary L. Quinton ◽  
Jennifer Cumming

This study investigated the relationship between reappraisal and suppression with depression and mental well-being among university athletes. It was hypothesized reappraisal would associate with lower depression and greater mental well-being, whereas suppression would associate with greater depression and reduced mental well-being. Employing a cross-sectional design, 427 participants (Mage = 20.18, SD = 1.52; 188 males and 239 females) completed questionnaires assessing mental health and strategy use. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed reappraisal was positively associated, and suppression negatively associated with mental well-being, ΔR2 = 4.8%, ΔF(2, 422) = 17.01, p ≤ .001; suppression, β = −0.08, p = .028; reappraisal, β = 0.21, p ≤ .001, but neither were associated with depression, ΔR2 = 0.4%, ΔF(2, 422) = 1.33, p = .267; suppression, β = 0.06, p = .114; reappraisal, β = 0.03, p = .525. Results highlight reappraisal as correlated with mental well-being in student-athletes, and therefore, reappraisal could be beneficial for managing stress in sport. Reappraisal may implicate how well-being is promoted through sport, but future experimental research is needed to confirm causal relationships.


Author(s):  
Supa Pengpid ◽  
Karl Peltzer

AbstractBackgroundVigorous physical activity (VPA) may be beneficial for mental health. The aim of the study was to investigate cross-sectional associations between VPA, perceived stress, sleep quality and quantity and mental health among university students.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, using anonymous questionnaires, data was collected from 15122 (42.1% male and 57.9% female) university students [mean age 20.6, standard deviation (SD) = 2.0] from 23 countries in the Americas, Africa and Asia. They were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short version), and measures of sociodemographic, health status, health behaviour and anthropometrics.ResultsStudents who met VPA recommendations were less likely to report perceived stress, more likely to report subjective good health and depression than students without VPA. There was no association between VPA and sleep quality and quantity and PTSD symptoms.ConclusionThis study only found partial benefits of VPA in relation to well-being of university students.


2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 460-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Airton J. Rombaldi ◽  
Ana M.B. Menezes ◽  
Mario Renato Azevedo ◽  
Pedro C. Hallal

Objectives:To explore whether participation in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) is associated with participation in occupational, housework, and transport-related physical activity.Methods:Population-based cross-sectional study covering a multistage sample of 972 subjects age 20 to 69 years. Physical activity was measured using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. A LTPA score was calculated as follows: min/wk of walking + min/wk of moderate-intensity physical activity + (min/wk of vigorous-intensity physical activity × 2). Similar scores were generated for each domain. For categorical analyses, the scores were divided into 3 categories: 0 min/wk, 10−149 min/wk, and ≥150 min/wk.Results:The proportion of subjects practicing less than 150 min/wk of physical activity in each domain was: leisure-time (69.8%), occupational (58.3%), housework (35.0%), transportation (51.9%). Subjects with a transport-related physical activity score equal to or above 150 min/wk were 40% less likely to be sedentary in leisure-time in comparison with those who did not practice transport-related physical activity. Housework and occupational physical activity were not related to participation in LTPA.Conclusions:Future physical activity campaigns should focus on other domains instead of LTPA alone, particularly supporting transport-related physical activity as a strategy of health promotion.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoichi Toyoshima ◽  
Nobuyuki Yajima ◽  
Tetsuya Nemoto ◽  
Osamu Namiki ◽  
Katsunori Inagaki

Abstract Objective: This study evaluated the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity level and physical activity (PA) by using an accelerometer and self-reported questionnaire.Results: The cross-sectional study included 34 patients with RA. We classified patients with a Disease Activity Score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) of less than and higher than 3.2 into the low-disease-activity (LDA) group and moderate/high-disease-activity (MHDA) group, respectively. PA was assessed using a triaxial accelerometer. We measured the wear time, time of vigorous-intensity PA (VPA), moderate-intensity PA (MPA), light-intensity PA (LPA), and sedentary behavior per day by using this device. Moreover, we evaluated the relationship between accelerometer-measured and self-reported PAs in each group. The accelerometer-measured moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) was 17.2 min/day and 10.6 min/day in the MHDA group and LDA group (p < .05), respectively. No significant association was observed between RA disease activity level and accelerometer-measured PA with adjustment for age and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue score. No correlation was noted between accelerometer-measured MVPA and self-reported MVPA in the MHDA group, but these factors were correlated in the LDA group (rs = 0.5, p < .05). The RA disease activity level and accelerometer-measured PA were not correlated.


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