Enhancing Mental Health, Well-Being and Active Lifestyles of University Students by Means of Physical Activity and Exercise Research Programs

Abstract

Mental disorders (e.g., depression) and sedentary behavior are increasing, also among emerging adults. One particular target group of emerging adults with high sitting times and vulnerability to mental disorders are university students. In particular, anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as stress symptoms are very common among university students. The present manuscript discusses whether physical activity and exercise interventions can help to promote the mental health of emerging adults such as university students. The manuscript will summarize current scientific evidence and based on this evidence, introduce an university-based scientific research project that investigates if physical activity, exercise interventions and acute bouts of exercise of low- to moderate intensity can buffer perceived stress, alleviate mental health symptoms and strengthen well-being (psychologically and physiologically) among university students by positively influencing depressive and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress and emotion perception, body awareness and subjective well-being including overall quality of life. The research project, its concept, multimethod approach, and first results from available studies are discussed in relation to current scientific evidence, health care needs and future developments. The results from the studies conducted within the research project so far and that are briefly summarized in this manuscript suggest that physical activity, mental health and well-being are positively related, also in university students as an important group of emerging adults. The results further suggest that exercise interventions comprising aerobic exercises of low- to moderate intensity may work best to improve mental health (alleviate depressive symptoms and perceived stress) among university students after a few weeks of intervention. In addition, acute bouts of certain types of exercises (yoga in particular) seem to be particularly effective in changing perception of bodily signals, cardiac activity and emotion processing immediately after the exercise. The results underscore the importance of systematic investigations of the combined examination of psychological and physiological factors that promote an active lifestyle and that strengthen mental health and well-being (psychologically and physiologically) among emerging adults such as university students.

Physical activity and mental health in sports university students during the COVID-19 school confinement in Shanghai

“…The adoption of such a closed management policy may lead to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress and lower levels of subjective wellbeing among school students (43). In this context, this study found that students' MPA was negatively associated with depressive symptoms, this result could be supported by previous studies conducted by Herbert among university students after a few weeks of intervention (44). and the role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in alleviating depressive symptoms has also been widely recognized (45)(46)(47).…”

“…The adoption of such a closed management policy may lead to higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress and lower levels of subjective wellbeing among school students ( 43 ). In this context, this study found that students' MPA was negatively associated with depressive symptoms, this result could be supported by previous studies conducted by Herbert which validated the effectiveness of exercise in preventing and reducing depressive symptoms at university students populations, that exercise interventions comprising aerobic exercises of low- to moderate intensity may work best to improve mental health among university students after a few weeks of intervention ( 44 ). and the role of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in alleviating depressive symptoms has also been widely recognized ( 45 – 47 ).…”

Health benefits of physical activity for people with mental disorders: From the perspective of multidimensional subjective wellbeing

“…The existing research has generally discussed the relationship between physical exercise and mental health. For example, studies based on adolescents have found that physical exercise can alleviate depression caused by interpersonal problems ( 25 ), and higher levels of exercise have a positive effect on mental health ( 19 , 26 ). At the same time, other studies have found that exercises help to reduce the frequency of smoking and develop a lifestyle conducive to both physical and mental health ( 15 ).…”

“…At the same time, compared with previous studies that support the positive effects of exercises ( 19 , 25 , 26 , 28 , 29 ), we further systematically examine the heterogeneities in physical activity's benefits among different subgroups. Heterogeneity analysis shows that there is no significant gender difference in the health benefits of physical exercise, but its impact is more prominent for people with mental disorders who are younger and higher educated, with better health status, and live in urban areas.…”

“…This echoes findings that physical activity helps people effectively deal with negative emotions caused by limited interactions ( 25 ). Furthermore, physical activity can also improve people's physical and cognitive abilities, thereby improving their capability to cope with negative emotions ( 26 ). Subjective wellbeing is also an important factor affecting mental health ( 27 ) and research has demonstrated that exercise contributes to people's wellbeing ( 28 ).…”