Physical Activity Mode and Mental Distress in Adulthood

Introduction: Nearly one fifth of American adults suffer from mental health issues, yet many treatments have side effects and stigma attached. Physical activity can be an effective treatment for mental health disorders, but most promotion efforts fail. One understudied aspect of physical activity is the specific mode, including if it engages others, and how this may relate to mental health. This study examined the potential relationship between different modes of physical activity and the frequency of mental distress.

Methods: Data from the 2000 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed in 2015 to determine the relationship between participation in different modes of physical activity and frequent mental distress.

Results: Data were obtained on physical activity and frequent mental distress from 183,341 adults (aged 18-99 years, 51.9% female, 57.4% overweight/obese, 9.5% frequent mental distress). Prevalence of mental distress for those reporting activities was contrasted against walking alone. People who participated in tennis had 46% lower odds (95% CI=0.35, 0.84) of frequent mental distress. Approaching significance, non-team play sports were associated with 18% lower odds (95% CI=0.66, 1.01) of frequent mental distress, compared with walking alone.

Conclusions: Activity modes are associated with mental health outcomes above and beyond the frequency and duration of activity. Given the social and play nature of the activities, this may reflect the relational aspect, enjoyment, or a combination of both. These results suggest that adding social or affective components to physical activity may enhance engagement and retention in activity promotion efforts and their benefits on mental health.

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Work Title Physical Activity Mode and Mental Distress in Adulthood
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Christopher Sciamanna
  2. Joshua Morrison Smyth
  3. Shawna E. Doerksen
  4. Barrett R. Richard
  5. Jennifer Kraschnewski
  6. Andrew Justin Mowen
  7. Benjamin D. Hickerson
  8. Liza Rovniak
  9. Erik B. Lehman
  10. Chengwu Yang
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Publication Date December 15, 2016
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.09.014
Deposited July 25, 2022

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Version 1
published

  • Created
  • Added 1-s2.0-S0749379716304469-main.pdf
  • Added Creator Christopher Sciamanna
  • Added Creator Joshua Morrison Smyth
  • Added Creator Shawna E. Doerksen
  • Added Creator Barrett R. Richard
  • Added Creator Jennifer Kraschnewski
  • Added Creator Andrew Justin Mowen
  • Added Creator Benjamin D. Hickerson
  • Added Creator Liza Rovniak
  • Added Creator Erik B. Lehman
  • Added Creator Chengwu Yang
  • Published
  • Updated Publisher, Publication Date Show Changes
    Publisher
    • Am J Prev Med
    • American Journal of Preventive Medicine
    Publication Date
    • 2022-07-25
    • 2016-12-15
  • Updated Publisher Identifier (DOI) Show Changes
    Publisher Identifier (DOI)
    • 10.1016/j.amepre.2016.09.014
    • https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.09.014
  • Updated