Relationship Between Physical Activity Levels and Psychological Well-Being Among Male University Students in South East, Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the associations between physical activity (PA) and psychological well-being (PWB) among male university students. An institutionally based cross-sectional study was completed by 243 young men aged 18–30 years in a Nigerian public university. PA was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and PWB was measured by Ryff’s Scale of Psychological Well-being (PWB). The mean age of the participants was 24.9 ( SD = 7.61) and majority (39.1%) of the participants was aged 18–22 years. Regarding PA, 16.0%, 64.2%, and 19.8% of the participants had low, moderate, and high PA levels, respectively. The mean total PWB score was 119.9 ( SD = 23.64). For the domains of PWB, male students had mean scores of 25.73 ( SD = 6.05), 19.42 ( SD = 6.82), 25.75 (6.10), 14.12 ( SD = 3.89), 13.70 ( SD = 4.04) and 21.12 (4.92) for self-acceptance, autonomy, positive relations, environmental mastery, purpose in life and personal growth, respectively. Total PA (total MET min/week) was associated with the total PWB scores ( β = 0.13, p < .05). The total PA METs was significantly associated with self-acceptance ( β = 0.13, p < .05). positive relations ( β = 0.16, p < .05), purpose in life ( β = 0.39, p < .05). Vigorous PA METs showed significantly negative effect on personal growth (β = −0.28, p < .05) and accounted for 2.0% of the variance of personal growth. PA accounted for 2.5% and 1.2% of the variance of positive relations and purpose in life, respectively., Most of the young men had moderate levels of PA and PWB. PA was significantly associated with PWB among the young men. Male sensitive evidence-based health promotion interventions should aim at promoting PA and PWB among male university students.

Influence of Physical Exercise on Psychological Well-Being of Young Adults: A Quantitative Study

“…More specifically, significant differences were observed at the level of intrinsic motivation between the groups with different levels of physical activity, while at the level of extrinsic motivation these differences were only observed between the group with high levels of activity and the rest. These data agree with various studies [ 41 , 51 , 52 , 53 ] that show that physical activity is related to the most self-determined types of motivation, in addition to showing a slight influence of extrinsic motivation when the activity is vigorous. González–Hernández et al [ 54 ] report that people perform physical exercise because they are motivated by internal elements, such as feeling pleasure, escaping or feeling competent, and by external elements, such as being strong and, above all, interacting with other people and having fun.…”

“…In relation to these data, the linear regression model showed that intrinsic motivation was the most determining factor in predicting the level of physical activity, acquiring greater weight among men. This model agrees with other works [ 41 , 47 , 55 ] that discovered that men exercise to improve their self-image, with the aim of fulfilling a life purpose and overcoming challenges, which are characteristic elements of intrinsic motivation. However, women are motivated by factors such as improving their physical condition, losing weight, or reducing body fat, basing their motivation on elements that are external to the person [ 47 , 55 ].…”

“…When comparing the level of exercise between men and women, it was observed that, although both genders had a high and medium level of activity, men showed significantly higher levels of physical activity. Men tend to understand physical activity as a challenge, and their purpose is usually aimed at personal growth, which makes them have a better self-image and self-knowledge that is reflected in their greater psychological well-being [ 41 , 47 ]. However, it has been observed that the influence of the media results in them being unable to reach certain ideals of beauty and to feel greater dissatisfaction [ 47 ], which may fit in with the moderate scores found at the level of psychological well-being.…”

“…In addition, those social contexts that satisfy people’s competence, autonomy, and relationships will also foster intrinsic motivation and, therefore, more autonomous and lasting behaviours [ 35 , 39 , 40 ]. Given that SDT seems to be a key in predicting self-determined behaviors related to physical activity among university students, and that there are few studies on this topic and its relationship with psychological and social well-being in this population [ 36 , 41 , 42 , 43 ], this study was carried out. The studies carried out to date have investigated the quality of life [ 36 ]; they have focused only on men [ 41 ]; have studied life satisfaction [ 42 ]; or have wanted to develop a predictive model that relates physical activity and psychological aspects [ 43 ].…”

“…Given that SDT seems to be a key in predicting self-determined behaviors related to physical activity among university students, and that there are few studies on this topic and its relationship with psychological and social well-being in this population [ 36 , 41 , 42 , 43 ], this study was carried out. The studies carried out to date have investigated the quality of life [ 36 ]; they have focused only on men [ 41 ]; have studied life satisfaction [ 42 ]; or have wanted to develop a predictive model that relates physical activity and psychological aspects [ 43 ]. The aim of this study was thus to explore the association between physical exercise, motivation, and psychological well-being in young adults.…”