Relationship between different domains of physical activity and positive mental health among young adult men

Abstract

Background: There is growing evidence on positive effects of physical activity (PA) on mental health. However, the focus of previous research on this relationship has typically been on mental health from the perspective of mental health problems rather than from the perspective of mental wellbeing. Further, previous research has commonly focused rather on leisure time PA without evidence on the role of other domains of PA. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between positive mental health (PMH) and different domains of PA in young Finnish men. The secondary aim was to examine the reasons for physical inactivity among individuals with a low level of PMH. Methods: Positive mental health (measured with Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale, SWEMWBS), self-reported leisure time, occupational and commuting PA as well as reasons for physical inactivity were measured using questionnaires (n = 456, mean age 29 years) among young Finnish males. Logistic regression modelling was used to generate odds for low and high levels of positive mental health for different levels of PA and sociodemographic variables. Results: A weak positive association between leisure time PA and PMH was found in men with a low level of PMH (OR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.13-0.86). No association was found in the domains of commuting and occupational PA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed lower level of leisure time PA, unemployment and being single independently predicting low level of PMH. No associations were found between any domains of PA and high level of PMH. The most common reasons for physical inactivity among men with a low level of PMH were lack of interest (28%) and unwillingness to practise sports alone (27%). Conclusions: The relationship between physical activity and positive mental health seems to vary between different domains of physical activity. The findings highlight the important role of leisure time physical activity, particularly in men with a low level of positive mental health. Strategies aimed at increasing physical activity for mental health benefits should focus particularly on providing opportunities for leisure time physical activity involving social interactions for men with lower mental wellbeing.

Relationship Between Accelerometer-Based Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Mental Health in Young Finnish Men

“…The findings of the present study may be explained by previous research indicating that the domain of physical activity plays an important role in the relationship between PA and mental health. Relying on findings from our previous study with the same sample of men using self-reported PA data (48), the findings of the present study highlight potentially the crucial role of domain and context of PA for the mental health of individuals. The importance of especially leisure-time PA in the relationship between PA and mental health is well-documented (48)(49)(50)(51) and may be explained, for example, by voluntary nature, own preferences, enjoyment and possibilities for social interactions (7,52).…”

“…Relying on findings from our previous study with the same sample of men using self-reported PA data (48), the findings of the present study highlight potentially the crucial role of domain and context of PA for the mental health of individuals. The importance of especially leisure-time PA in the relationship between PA and mental health is well-documented (48)(49)(50)(51) and may be explained, for example, by voluntary nature, own preferences, enjoyment and possibilities for social interactions (7,52). A number of other previous studies using self-reported PA data (53)(54)(55) have shown that activities that are more likely to be practiced in group, are strongly associated with lower depressive symptoms and better mental well-being, especially in men (55).…”

Changes in Physical Activity and Depressive Symptoms During COVID-19 Lockdown: United States Adult Age Groups

“…Consequently, there has been no intervention-based study to develop more therapeutic strategies and programs via active lifestyle to address mental health issues resulting from COVID-19, a necessary prerequisite of one’s individual psychological well-being. For future intervention-based studies, it may be important to differentiate PA effects on mental health depending on the different levels of DS and different domains of PA (e.g., leisure-time PA, commuting PA, work-related PA; Appelqvist-Schmidlechner et al, 2020 ). In fact, few studies examined the relationship between exercise intensity and relief of depression through endorphin secretion.…”

Strategic Assessment of Neighbourhood Environmental Impacts on Mental Health in the Lisbon Region (Portugal): A Strategic Focus and Assessment Framework at the Local Level

“…Such knowledge supports the fact that each place (e.g., neighbourhood), through a complex interrelation of multiple factors, generates specific conditions which impact the mental health and well-being of the population [13,14]. It is possible that neighbourhood environments exert an influence on individual mental health through risk reduction, for example, by modifying an individual's behaviour with respect to physical activity [15][16][17] or through an emotional bond to place (place attachment) [18,19]. Consequently, the natural, built and social neighbourhood environments can either encourage or discourage individual cycling or walking.…”