Domain-Specific Physical Activity and Mental Health: A Meta-analysis

Abstract

The domain in which physical activity occurs influences the relationship between physical activity and mental health and should, therefore, be considered when developing interventions, treatment programs, and policy guidelines.

Joint and dose‐dependent associations between aerobic and muscle‐strengthening activity with depression: A cross‐sectional study of 1.48 million adults between 2011 and 2017

“…Although similar associations between physical activity and depression risk have been shown in some previous studies, with higher levels of physical activity not associated with a reduced prevalence of depression (Chekroud et al, 2018;Kim et al, 2018) that when compared to MVPA, MSA may be equally, or more effective in improving key brain health factors such as improving cognitive function and memory (Li, Peng, Xiang, Han, & Li, 2018;Loprinzi, Blough, Ryu, & Kang, 2019). This is of interest given that physical activity in leisure-time is most likely to be favorably associated with enhanced mental health, while physical activity for occupational or domestic purposes has been shown to be either detrimentally associated with mental health or have no association (White et al, 2017). Mastery is among the key psychosocial mechanisms explaining the link between physical activity and mental health (Lubans et al, 2016).…”

“…An alternate explanation is that MSA is generally structured and planned and thus most likely undertaken in leisure-time, while aerobic MVPA may be reported across domains (e.g., leisure-time, transport, occupational, domestic). This is of interest given that physical activity in leisure-time is most likely to be favorably associated with enhanced mental health, while physical activity for occupational or domestic purposes has been shown to be either detrimentally associated with mental health or have no association (White et al, 2017). Further research is required to understand the key mechanisms associated with joint MVPA-MSA and mental health outcomes.…”

Inequalities in participation and time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity: a pooled analysis of the cross-sectional health surveys for England 2008, 2012, and 2016

“…Inequalities in total and sports/exercise MVPA were partially offset by the reverse pattern for occupational PA, consistent with previous studies [4], reflecting the higher involvement of lower SEP groups in physically demanding work. Whilst occupational PA is taken into account in monitoring adherence to MVPA guidelines using HSE data [17,18], high levels of strenuous occupational PA can be detrimental for health [37,38].…”

Domain-specific physical activity and sedentary behavior during pregnancy and postpartum depression risk in the French EDEN and ELFE cohorts

“…Importantly, and consistent with previous cross-sectional studies (30,31), household/caregiving activities constituted the largest source of physical activity energy expenditure in our population. It has been suggested that household activities, in comparison to leisure-time activities, are not usually performed for enjoyment or by choice and could be stressful or burdensome, thereby contributing to women's depressive symptoms (10,32). Molarius et al (33) reported that the odds of being depressed or anxious increased as the more burdensome the participants rated their domestic work.…”

“…Physical activity (PA) may include a variety of activities other than recreational ones, such as occupational, transportation, care-giving and household activities (9). Leisure-time physical activity in particular may be most beneficial in terms of mental health promotion and the prevention of mental illhealth compared to other domains (10). The role of domain-specific PA is equally important when studying its effects in reducing the risk for postnatal depression.…”