Adherence to aerobic and muscle-strengthening components of the physical activity guidelines and mental health

Abstract

Summary Despite a clear distinction between aerobic and muscle strengthening (MS) components in the physical activity guidelines, public health surveillance has largely focused only on aerobic components, limiting the reach of epidemiological research on the physical activity guidelines. Hence, this study investigated the association between adherence to both components (i.e. aerobic and muscle-strengthening) of the World Health Organization’s physical activity guidelines and mental health among the college student population. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a nationally representative sample of Irish college students (7088 participants, M age: 23.17 years; 50.9% female). Participants were categorized as meeting both components of the guidelines (n = 41%), only the aerobic component (n = 25.3%) or the MS component (n = 7.3%), and neither (n = 26.4%). Group membership effects on mental health was determined through mixed univariate ANOVAs, with a Bonferroni correction for post hoc analyses to assess multiple comparisons. Results revealed that meeting both components of the guidelines was significantly (all p < 0.01) associated with greater self-reported happiness, body image and general health, and less mental ill-being, relative to all other respective groupings. Meeting aerobic or MS components in isolation was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with better happiness, general health and body image compared to not meeting either component. To conclude, 59% of the college-aged population are insufficiently active, and adherence to both guideline components is positively associated with mental health. Co-produced, evidence-based, physical activity interventions are needed in students and could contribute to mental health promotion.

Does physical activity in childhood or adolescence predict future anxiety, depression, or wellbeing? A systematic review of 98 prospective cohort studies

“…These scales were relatively underutilised, appearing in only 7/39 (17.9%) wellbeing studies combined (8,22,23,24,45,82,92) . The RSE (1,61,72,81,100) [55] and/or HSPP Global Self-Worth subscale (52,66,70,76,83) [56], and the SDQ Peer Relationships subscale (3,8,29,51,64) [51] were the most common measures of self-esteem (psychological wellbeing) and positive relationships (social wellbeing), respectively. Positive emotions (emotional wellbeing) were only investigated using validated questionnaires in three studies using the SLS (27) [57], SLSS (88) [58] and the PANAS Positive Affect subscale (65) [59].…”

“…In our review, few studies measured such behaviours in young people (16,26) . Given emerging research in adults showing the benefits of muscle strengthening activities for mental health beyond those associated with aerobic PA [75], [76], closer inspection of their association in children/adolescents' mental health is warranted.…”

Bewegung und Chemotherapie bei Mammakarzinom : Auswirkungen einer Chemotherapie auf das Bewegungsverhalten und Zusammenhänge zu Angst, Depressivität und Fatigue

“…Etwa zwei Drittel aller Brustkrebspatientinnen haben sich, wie der Großteil der Allgemeinbevölkerung (Lipert et al, 2020;Shannon et al, 2022), vor der Diagnose bereits zu wenig bewegt (C. Mason et al, 2013). In der Zeit der Brustkrebsbehandlung weisen sie erwartungsgemäß einen noch geringeren Bewegungsumfang auf als zuvor und danach Steinhilper et al, 2013) und als im Vergleich zu gesunden Vergleichspersonen .…”