The relationships between physical activity, health status and psychological well‐being of fertility‐aged women

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to measure the association between leisure time physical activity and health status, mental health and depression. The participants were women aged 18-45. The data were collected using questionnaires that were mailed to 1200 women. The response rate was 55%. The questionnaire contained three instruments: the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), the Health Questionnaire for Adults, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The results showed that 52.8% of the sample were physically inactive. Physically active women experienced better mental health (P < 0.05), less depression (P < 0.05) and they had better general health status (P < 0.005). Differences in the emotional state (GHQ score) and depression (BDI score) between active (participating in exercise 3 or 1-2 times a week) and inactive women were significant (P < 0.05). Even a low level of physical activity (1-2 times per week) was positively related to women's mental health (P < 0.05).

Conflict between Women's Physically Active and Passive Leisure Pursuits: The Role of Self‐Determination and Influences on Well‐Being

“…A 2010 qualitative study by Lloyd and Little supports the contention that a women's well-being can be enhanced through participation in leisure-time physical activity. Similar results have been demonstrated in quantitative studies of the physical activity/well-being relationship in women showing active women experience greater well-being than inactive women Kull, 2002;Guerin & Fortier, 2012). Given that women tend to have poorer mental health, and are at risk of significant time constraints and conflict, this study will focus, in particular, on women.…”

Physical Activity and Cancer

“…In general population samples, low levels of physical activity have been associated with poorer mental health (Jorm et al 2003;Kull 2002). In cancer survivor populations, studies have found that higher levels of physical activity are associated with fewer depressive symptoms (Humpel & Iverson, 2007;Yeter et al, 2006) and lower levels of anxiety (Stevinson et al, 2009a).…”

Motivation, self-esteem and life satisfaction in women practicing fitness classes

“…Ya hace años que Bruya (1977) apuntó los efectos positivos que provoca la práctica de ejercicio físico sobre la autoestima. También, la motivación parece contribuir de forma positiva a la autoestima de los practicantes (Moreno-Murcia, Borges, Marcos, Sierra, & Huéscar, 2012), ya que cuanto mayor es la motivación en la práctica de actividad física, mejor es la salud mental del practicante (Kull, 2002). Los estudios mencionados relacionan de forma positiva la práctica de ejercicio físico y la autoestima, además, sería interesante saber qué variables motivacionales actúan en la mejora de la autoestima en mujeres practicantes de ejercicio físico en centros de fitness y cuáles son las consecuencias conductuales.…”