Physical Activity and Sports—Real Health Benefits: A Review with Insight into the Public Health of Sweden

Abstract

Positive effects from sports are achieved primarily through physical activity, but secondary effects bring health benefits such as psychosocial and personal development and less alcohol consumption. Negative effects, such as the risk of failure, injuries, eating disorders, and burnout, are also apparent. Because physical activity is increasingly conducted in an organized manner, sport’s role in society has become increasingly important over the years, not only for the individual but also for public health. In this paper, we intend to describe sport’s physiological and psychosocial health benefits, stemming both from physical activity and from sport participation per se. This narrative review summarizes research and presents health-related data from Swedish authorities. It is discussed that our daily lives are becoming less physically active, while organized exercise and training increases. Average energy intake is increasing, creating an energy surplus, and thus, we are seeing an increasing number of people who are overweight, which is a strong contributor to health problems. Physical activity and exercise have significant positive effects in preventing or alleviating mental illness, including depressive symptoms and anxiety- or stress-related disease. In conclusion, sports can be evolving, if personal capacities, social situation, and biological and psychological maturation are taken into account. Evidence suggests a dose–response relationship such that being active, even to a modest level, is superior to being inactive or sedentary. Recommendations for healthy sports are summarized.

A brief educational intervention on the consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical activity improves healthy habits in university students

“…Students who complied with the recommendations of physical activity perceived a physical and mental well-being, possibly associated with the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine that have been associated with memory recovery and a better mood [32].…”

The Shirom-Melamed Vigor Measure for students and how vigor relates to academic performance, mental health and satisfaction with life: Factorial analysis and construct validity in Spanish undergraduate university students

“…The current study considered total PA, without differentiating between light, moderate or vigorous PA or the different effects that these activity levels could have on the results. To make this decision, we used as a base the potential bene ts of PA, even when the minimum levels recommended by international organizations were not reached [1][2][3], and the positive effect of PA on AP, regardless of the type of PA [78]. However, we are aware that in future studies, the mediating role of vigor should be veri ed by taking into account the different levels of PA and other variables such as environmental aspects [79].…”

“…In addition to the bene cial effects on physical health [1][2][3], performing physical activity (PA) in adulthood is related to a reduced risk of mental ill-health [4] and has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms associated with depression [5,6]. Going beyond a clinical approach and considering mental health (MH) as a positive state of well-being related to an optimal psychological experience and functioning [7], there are several studies that nd a positive relationship between PA and satisfaction with life (SWL) [8][9][10], that is, the extent to which people value their present situation as an ideal situation [11].…”

Effect of Physical Conditioning on Student Basic Skills Gymnastics

“…Good health and fitness allows you to perform daily activities effectively, with good levels of resistance, endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Increasing the level of activity reduces the risk of developing pathologies such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes or cancer (Kari & Karhulahti, 2016).To improve health, it is important to be physically active and follow the advice of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), in collaboration with the American Heart Association (Malm, Jakobsson, & Isaksson, 2019). These recommendations apply to anyone between the ages of 18 and 65.…”