Mechanisms linking physical activity with psychiatric symptoms across the lifespan: a protocol for a systematic review

Ho, Phuong Thuy Nguyen; Bich, Tram Ha Pham; Tong, Thao; Bramer, Wichor M.; Hofman, Amy; Lubans, David R.; Vernooij, Meike W.; Rodriguez‐Ayllon, María

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058737

Cited by 3 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…It was registered in the PROSPERO database with the registration number CRD42021239440. Further details on the protocol can be found elsewhere [19]. It was made publicly available before conducting the primary electronic search [19].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further details on the protocol can be found elsewhere [19]. It was made publicly available before conducting the primary electronic search [19].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Articles included for screening were published before March 2022 (date last searched). In brief, we included articles based on predefined criteria as summarized in the protocol [19]. Two reviewers (PTNH and THPB) screened the titles and abstracts of the articles separately and included articles based on the inclusion criteria [19].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In brief, we included articles based on predefined criteria as summarized in the protocol [19]. Two reviewers (PTNH and THPB) screened the titles and abstracts of the articles separately and included articles based on the inclusion criteria [19]. Any disagreements were discussed and resolved between the two reviewers.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The complete methodology, procedures and inclusion/exclusion criteria have been previously described [19]. Briefly, the inclusion criteria were: (1) including at least one group of healthy participants (i.e., no diagnosis of neuropsychogical disorders); (2) studies that explore the possible mechanisms through which physical activity links with psychiatric symptoms; (3) the outcome variable belongs to a psychiatric symptom, specifically an internalizing (i.e., depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms) or an externalizing (i.e., conduct problems, rule-breaking behavior, attention deficit/hyperactivity problems) symptom; (4) intervention studies (RCT, non-RCT) and observational studies (prospective longitudinal cohort studies, cross-sectional studies).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mechanisms linking physical activity with psychiatric symptoms across lifespan: A systematic review

Bich

Tong

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background: Physical activity has been suggested as a protective factor against psychiatric symptoms. While numerous studies have focused on the magnitude of the effect of physical activity on psychiatric symptoms, few have examined the potential mechanisms. Objective: The current review aimed to synthesize scientific evidence of the mechanisms through which physical activity might reduce psychiatric symptoms across the lifespan. Methods: We included articles that were published before March 2022 from five electronic databases (Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane). A qualitative synthesis of studies was conducted. The risk of bias assessment was performed using The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool for Systematic Reviews. Studies were included if they explored the possible mechanisms through which physical activity links with psychiatric symptoms (i.e., internalizing and externalizing symptoms) across the lifespan. Results: A total of 24 articles were included (three RCTs, four non-RCTs, four prospective longitudinal studies, and 13 cross-sectional studies). Overall, most of the studies (70%) focused on children, adolescents, and young adults. Our findings show that self-esteem, self-concept, and self-efficacy were the only consistent paths through which physical activity may influence psychiatric symptoms (specifically depressive and anxiety symptoms). There were insufficient studies to determine the role of neurobiological and behavioral mechanisms. Findings from our systematic review suggest that self-esteem, self-concept, and self-efficacy are potential paths through which physical activity might reduce psychiatric symptoms across the lifespan. Conclusions: Overall, future physical activity interventions with the purpose of improving mental health should consider these mechanisms to develop more effective interventions. Current literature gaps and recommendations for researchers to explore other potential mechanisms were also included. Protocol Registration: The protocol of this study was registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number CRD42021239440) and published in April 2022. Keywords: exercise, psychiatric symptom, mechanism, neurobiological, behavioral, longevity, self-concept, self-esteem, self-efficacy, psychosocial, mental disorders

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further details on the protocol can be found elsewhere [19]. It was made publicly available before conducting the primary electronic search [19].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mechanisms linking physical activity with psychiatric symptoms across lifespan: A systematic review

Bich

Tong

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Neurobiological, Psychosocial, and Behavioral Mechanisms Mediating Associations Between Physical Activity and Psychiatric Symptoms in Youth in the Netherlands

et al. 2023

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ImportanceUnderstanding the mechanisms by which physical activity is associated with a lower risk of psychiatric symptoms may stimulate the identification of cost-efficient strategies for preventing and treating mental illness at early life stages.ObjectiveTo examine neurobiological, psychosocial, and behavioral mechanisms that mediate associations of physical activity with psychiatric symptoms in youth by testing an integrated model.Design, setting, and participantsGeneration R is an ongoing prospective population-based cohort study collecting data from fetal life until young adulthood in a multiethnic urban population in the Netherlands. Pregnant women living in Rotterdam with an expected delivery date between April 2002 and January 2006 were eligible for participation along with their children born during this time. Data were collected at a single research center in the Erasmus Medical Center Sophia Children’s Hospital. For the current study, data were analyzed from 4216 children with complete data on both exposure and outcome at ages 6, 10, and 13 years. Data were analyzed from January 2021 to November 2022.ExposuresPhysical activity was ascertained at age 6 years (visit 1) via parent report and included weekly frequency and duration of walking or cycling to or from school, physical education at school, outdoor play, swimming, and sports participation.Main Outcomes and MeasuresPsychiatric symptoms (internalizing and externalizing symptoms) were assessed at age 6 years (visit 1) and at age 13 years (visit 3) using the Child Behavior Checklist. Several mechanisms were explored as mediators, measured at age 10 years (visit 2). Neurobiological mechanisms included total brain volume, white matter microstructure, and resting-state connectivity assessed using a 3-T magnetic resonance imaging scanner. Psychosocial mechanisms included self-esteem, body image, and friendship. Behavioral mechanisms included sleep quality, diet quality, and recreational screen time. Pearson correlations between physical activity measures and psychiatric symptoms were calculated, with false discovery rate correction applied to account for the number of tests performed. Mediation analyses were performed when a correlation (defined as false discovery rate P &lt; .05) between exposure and outcome was observed and were adjusted for confounders.ResultsAmong the 4216 children included in this study, the mean (SD) age was 6.0 (0.4) years at visit 1, and 2115 participants (50.2%) were girls. More sports participation was associated with fewer internalizing symptoms (β for direct effect, −0.025; SE, 0.078; P = .03) but not externalizing symptoms. Self-esteem mediated the association between sports participation and internalizing symptoms (β for indirect effect, −0.009; SE, 0.018; P = .002). No evidence was found for associations between any other neurobiological, psychosocial, or behavioral variables. No association was found between other types of physical activity and psychiatric symptoms at these ages.Conclusions and RelevanceThe integrated model presented in this cohort study evaluated potential mechanisms mediating associations between physical activity and psychiatric symptoms in youth. Self-esteem mediated an association between sports participation in childhood and internalizing symptoms in adolescence; other significant mediations were not observed. Further studies might explore whether larger effects are present in certain subgroups (eg, children at high risk of developing psychiatric symptoms), different ages, or structured sport-based physical activity interventions.

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Mechanisms Linking Physical Activity with Psychiatric Symptoms Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review

Nguyen Ho,

Ha,

Tong

et al. 2023

Sports Med

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Background Physical activity has been suggested as a protective factor against psychiatric symptoms. While numerous studies have focused on the magnitude of physical activity’s effect on psychiatric symptoms, few have examined the potential mechanisms. Objective The current review aimed to synthesize scientific evidence of the mechanisms through which physical activity might reduce psychiatric symptoms across the lifespan. Methods We included articles that were published before March 2022 from five electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Embase, and Cochrane). A qualitative synthesis of studies was conducted. The risk of bias assessment was performed using The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool for Systematic Reviews. Studies were included if they explored the possible mechanisms through which physical activity influences psychiatric symptoms (i.e., internalizing and externalizing symptoms) across the lifespan. Results A total of 22 articles were included (three randomized controlled trials, four non-randomized controlled trials, three prospective longitudinal studies, and 12 cross-sectional studies). Overall, most of the studies focused on children, adolescents, and young adults. Our findings showed that self-esteem, self-concept, and self-efficacy were the only consistent paths through which physical activity influences psychiatric symptoms (specifically depressive and anxiety symptoms) across the lifespan. There were insufficient studies to determine the role of neurobiological mechanisms. Conclusions Overall, future physical activity interventions with the purpose of improving mental health should consider these mechanisms (self-esteem, self-concept, self-efficacy) to develop more effective interventions. Clinical Trial Registration: The protocol of this study was registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number CRD42021239440) and published in April 2022.

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Mechanisms linking physical activity with psychiatric symptoms across the lifespan: a protocol for a systematic review

Cited by 3 publications

References 27 publications

Mechanisms linking physical activity with psychiatric symptoms across lifespan: A systematic review

Mechanisms linking physical activity with psychiatric symptoms across lifespan: A systematic review

Neurobiological, Psychosocial, and Behavioral Mechanisms Mediating Associations Between Physical Activity and Psychiatric Symptoms in Youth in the Netherlands

Mechanisms Linking Physical Activity with Psychiatric Symptoms Across the Lifespan: A Systematic Review

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