Mood profile in men and women of all ages is improved by leisure-time physical activity rather than work-related physical activity

Abstract

Background The aim of our study was to determine how six mood indicators (vigour, fatigue, depression, anger, confusion, tension) depend on moderate to vigorous physical activity, walking time and sedentary time at work, after working hours and during leisure time, in men and women from different age groups. Methods A total of 1,140 individuals aged 18 to 64 years participated in the study. The participants were enrolled in this cross-sectional survey using a snowball sampling method. An online questionnaire was shared through popular social networks and emails within the period October 2019 to June 2020. Mood responses were assessed using The Brunel Mood Scale-LTU (BRUMS-LTU). Physical activity was assessed using the long International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Descriptive analysis, a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and linear regression analysis were used to interpret the data. Results The survey results showed that vigour and fatigue correlated significantly only with leisure-time moderate to vigorous physical activity (two-way ANOVA for vigour: leisure-time moderate to vigorous physical activity effect: p < .0001, \({ŋ}_{\text{p}}^{2}\)= .12; gender effect: p < .0001, \({ŋ}_{\text{p}}^{2}\)=.09, ns; two-way ANOVA for fatigue: leisure-time moderate to vigorous physical activity effect: p < .0001, \({ŋ}_{\text{p}}^{2}\)=.09; gender effect: p < .0001, \({ŋ}_{\text{p}}^{2}\)=.091; ns.) The present results show a significant positive correlation between women and men moods and leisure-time moderate to vigorous physical activity, the length of time walking to work and back home, and negative correlation between moods and leisure-time sedentary behaviour. However, there was no significant correlation between moods and work-related moderate to vigorous physical activity and household moderate to vigorous physical activity, walking at work, and sitting duration at work. Conclusions According to the regression analysis, exercising men in all age groups moved the most (had a higher moderate to vigorous physical activity level) during leisure time, the highest work-related moderate to vigorous physical activity was observed in men and women with lower education, and the highest household moderate to vigorous physical activity was observed in older age men and women living in rural areas.