scholarly journals Do Framed Mental Health Messages on Social Media Influence University Students’ Motivation for Physical Activity?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8671
Author(s):  
Georgia Gilbert ◽  
Chloë Williamson ◽  
Justin Richards ◽  
Taya Annabelle Collyer ◽  
Paul Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Media ◽  
University Students ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Message Framing ◽  
Active Travel ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Post Intervention

Message framing has been used as a strategy for promoting physical activity (PA) in university students, but the effectiveness of gain-framed (GF), or loss-framed (LF) messages is variable. This study aims to investigate the effects on motivation and PA behaviour of framed messaging on social media in university students. Gain- and loss-framed messages communicated the mental health outcomes of PA. A three-arm feasibility study (n = 148) collected pre-post intervention online questionnaire responses to assess motivation for PA, exercise, active travel, and PA levels, in response to the messaging intervention on Facebook. Both GF and LF messages effectively increased average motivation for PA in comparison to controls (GF by 0.3 (on a 7-point Likert scale), 9% [95% CI: 3–17%], p = 0.007, LF by 0.3, 10% [CI: 3–18%], p = 0.005). Average motivation for exercise increased in comparison to controls (GF by 0.6, 16% [95% CI: 6–26%], p = 0.001, LF by 0.5, 14.6% [95% CI: 5–26%], p < 0.001). Average motivation for active travel increased in comparison to controls (GF by 0.7, 18% [95% CI: 8–29%], p < 0.001, LF by 0.6, 19% [95% CI: 8–30%], p < 0.001). No meaningful differences between GF or LF messages were observed. Framed messages regarding mental health outcomes of PA delivered via social media could be effective for increasing PA motivation in university students. However, based on our results there is no gain- or loss-framed advantage.

Mental health benefits from lifestyle physical activity interventions: A systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 337-372
Author(s):  
Samantha G. Farris ◽  
Ana M. Abrantes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Lifestyle Physical Activity

Lifestyle physical activity (LPA) interventions are a promising alternative to structured exercise interventions for addressing mental health problems. The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature on LPA interventions in any population in order to determine (a) the extent to which mental health outcomes were examined and (b) whether benefits in mental health outcomes were observed. Mental health outcomes were defined as depression, anxiety, perceived stress, health-related quality of life, and psychological well-being. A total of 73 articles were identified as LPA intervention, of which 24.7% (n = 18) reported the effect of LPA intervention on mental health outcomes. The most commonly evaluated mental health outcome was depression, and to a lesser extent anxiety and perceived stress. Overall, findings point to promising effects of LPA interventions across common mental health problems. Key areas for future research are discussed in light of emergent limitations in existing published studies.

scholarly journals The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Male Strength Athletes Who Use Non-prescribed Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barnaby N. Zoob Carter ◽  
Ian D. Boardley ◽  
Katinka van de Ven
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Anabolic Androgenic Steroids ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Training Frequency ◽  
Androgenic Steroids ◽  
The Impact ◽  
And Training

Background: One sub-population potentially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic are strength athletes who use anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). We examined links between disruption in AAS use and training due to the pandemic and mental health outcomes in this population, hypothesising: (a) the pandemic would be linked with reduced training and AAS use; and (b) athletes perceiving greater impact on their training and AAS use would report increases in detrimental mental health outcomes.Methods: Male strength athletes using AAS (N = 237) from 42 countries completed an online questionnaire in May 2020. A sub-sample (N = 90) from 20 countries participated again 4 months later. The questionnaire assessed pre-pandemic and current AAS use and training, alongside several mental health outcomes.Results: At Time 1, most participants perceived an impact of the pandemic on AAS use (91.1%) and/or training (57.8%). Dependent t-tests demonstrated significant reductions in training frequency (t = 7.78; p &lt; 0.001) and AAS dose (t = 6.44; p &lt; 0.001) compared to pre-pandemic. Linear regression showed the impact of the pandemic on training was a significant positive predictor of excessive body checking (B = 0.35) and mood swings (B = 0.26), and AAS dose was a significant positive predictor of anxiety (B = 0.67), insomnia (B = 0.52), mood swings (B = 0.37). At Time 2, fewer participants perceived an impact of the pandemic on AAS use (29.9%) and/or training (66.7%) than at Time 1. Training frequency (t = 3.02; p &lt; 0.01) and AAS dose (t = 2.11; p &lt; 0.05) were depressed in comparison to pre-pandemic. However, AAS dose had increased compared to Time 1 (t = 2.11; p &lt; 0.05). Linear regression showed the impact of the pandemic on training/AAS use did not significantly predict any mental-health outcomes. However, AAS dose was a significant negative predictor of depressive thoughts (B = −0.83) and mood swings (B = −2.65).Conclusion: Our findings showed impact of the pandemic on the training and AAS use, reflected in reduced training frequency and AAS dose. However, whilst we detected some short-term consequential effects on mental health, these did not appear to be long-lasting.

scholarly journals A Preliminary Investigation of the Relationship between Motivation for Physical Activity and Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties in Children Aged 8–12 Years: The Role of Autonomous Motivation

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (15) ◽  
pp. 5584
Author(s):  
Erin Farmer ◽  
Nicole Papadopoulos ◽  
Chloe Emonson ◽  
Ian Fuelscher ◽  
Caterina Pesce ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Autonomous Motivation ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Behavioural Difficulties ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Emotional And Behavioural Difficulties

While motivation for physical activity (PA) and PA participation have been linked, research on the relationship between motivation for PA and mental health outcomes is scant, with studies involving children largely underrepresented. Grounded in self-determination theory, this cross-sectional study aimed to determine whether autonomous motivation versus external motivation (a form of controlled motivation) for PA is associated with fewer emotional and behavioural difficulties and higher levels of PA in children. A sample of 87 children (aged 8–12 years) were recruited from five primary schools in Victoria, Australia. An adapted version of the Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ) was used to measure motivation for PA and structured parent-report questions were used to assess moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) levels. Parents also completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to measure children’s emotional and behavioural difficulties. Children’s autonomous motivation was associated with fewer emotional and behavioural difficulties (β = −0.25, p = 0.038) and higher levels of MVPA (β = 0.24, p = 0.014). These results indicate autonomous motivation is associated with improved mental health outcomes and higher levels of PA in children. Thus, PA interventions that promote autonomous motivation may enhance children’s mental health compared to interventions that promote mainly controlled forms of motivation.

scholarly journals Physical activity and exercise in youth mental health promotion: a scoping review

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela Pascoe ◽  
Alan P Bailey ◽  
Melinda Craike ◽  
Tim Carter ◽  
Rhiannon Patten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Mental Health Promotion ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Exercise Interventions ◽  
Indicated Prevention

Background/AimThis scoping review examined the breadth and outcomes of controlled trials testing the effect of physical activity and exercise interventions across all mental health outcomes for mental health promotion and indicated prevention studies in young people.MethodsThe literature search was conducted using ‘Evidence Finder’.ResultsThirty publications were included. Available evidence suggested that interventions of varying intensity may lead to a reduction in depression symptoms and that moderate-to-vigorous-intensity and light-intensity interventions may reduce anxiety symptoms. Effects of physical activity/exercise interventions on additional mental health outcomes were also shown; however, the number of studies was small, indicating a limited evidence base. Robust research regarding the effects of physical activity/exercise on mental health promotion and as an indicated prevention strategy in young people is lacking.ConclusionThe available evidence suggests that physical activity/exercise is a promising mental health promotion and early intervention strategy and warrants further investigation.

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