A systematic review of physical activity and quality of life and well-being

Abstract

Maintaining or improving quality of life (QoL) and well-being is a universal goal across the lifespan. Being physically active has been suggested as one way to enhance QoL and well-being. In this systematic review, conducted in part for the 2018 U.S. Health and Human Services Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Scientific Advisory Committee Report, we examined the relationship between physical activity (PA) and QoL and well-being experienced by the general population across the lifespan and by persons with psychiatric and neurologic conditions. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and pooled analyses from 2006 to 2018 were used for the evidence base. Strong evidence (predominantly from randomized controlled trials [RCTs]) demonstrated that, for adults aged 18–65 years and older adults (primarily 65 years and older), PA improves QoL and well-being when compared with minimal or no-treatment controls. Moderate evidence indicated that PA improves QoL and well-being in individuals with schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease, and limited evidence indicated that PA improves QoL and well-being for youth and for adults with major clinical depression or bipolar disorder. Insufficient evidence existed for individuals with dementia because of a small number of studies with mixed results. Future high-quality research designs should include RCTs involving longer interventions testing different modes and intensities of PA in diverse populations of healthy people and individuals with cognitive (e.g., dementia) and mental health conditions (e.g., schizophrenia) to precisely characterize the effects of different forms of PA on aspects of QoL and well-being.

Multiple myeloma and physical activity

“…We observed that higher PA levels were associated with better QoL, in accordance with previous studies [ 3 – 5 ]. Although current study design does not allow a causal relationship to be concluded, existing evidence has shown that PA improves health related QoL [ 19 ]. Interestingly, for those who were physically active (GLTEQ score > 24, n = 16), PA levels did not correlate with QoL (Spearman’s correlation coefficient 0.21, p = 0.43), nor did it with lower fatigue levels (Spearman’s correlation coefficient 0.25, p = 0.35).…”

Home confinement during COVID-19 pandemic reduced physical activity but not health-related quality of life in previously active older women

“…The positive effects of physical activity on HRQL in older individuals are well known 17,18 . In this context, we hypothesized that home confinement due to COVID-19 pandemic would result in reduction of physical activity and, consequently, HRQL in participants of present.…”

Initial validation of the Italian version of the Volition in Exercise Questionnaire (VEQ-I)

“…There is a growing body of literature suggesting that regular practice of physical activity can improve individuals’ health, quality of life, physical and emotional well-being [ 1 , 2 ], reducing the incidence and the implications of many diseases and disabilities [ 3 – 6 ]. Despite this scientific evidence, globally, one out of four adults do not meet the global recommended levels of physical activity [ 7 ].…”