ArticleInternational journal of environmental research and public health2022
Physical Activity and Mental Health in Undergraduate Students.
Article in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 57 papers, 4 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
57 citing papers in PubMed, 4 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 96 citations in OpenAlex.
- Domain-specific physical activity and mental health: an updated systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis in a combined sample of 3.3 million people.British journal of sports medicine · 2026Pooled it
- The influence of outdoor physical activity on the physical and mental health of college students: a systematic review.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Pooled it
- Factors associated with mental health disorders in undergraduate students: A meta-analysis.Narra J · 2025Pooled it
- Outcomes of Best-Practice Guided Digital Mental Health Interventions for Youth and Young Adults with Emerging Symptoms: Part I. A Systematic Review of Socioemotional Outcomes and Recommendations.Clinical child and family psychology review · 2024Pooled it
- Attachment, Physical Leisure, and Suicidal Ideation in Emerging Adulthood: Evidence from University Students.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Ergonomic Knowledge and Postural Behavior Among Healthcare Undergraduates: A Cross-Sectional Survey.Indian journal of community medicine : official publication of Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine · 2026Article
- Sport Motivation and Mental Health Outcomes Among Padel Players in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional PLS-SEM Study.Sports (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- A latent profile analysis of physical activity participation patterns and mental health among university students: the mediating role of emotion regulation.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Does sports participation reduce disparities in anxiety and depression symptoms among sexual minority and heterosexual undergraduate students? A cross-sectional study.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- The relationship between physical activity level, attitude to seek psychological help, and mental development in adolescents.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Medical interns and health challenges: insights into physical inactivity, sleep disruption, and body metrics.Frontiers in health services · 2026Article
- The relationship between physical activity and mental health in middle-aged and older Chinese adults: a moderated mediation and cross-lagged model.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Physical activity motivation is inversely associated with anxiety: a cross-sectional serial mediation analysis involving smartphone addiction symptoms and sleep quality in medical undergraduates.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- The relationship between emotional states and mental well-being in men: mediating effect of leisure-time physical activity.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- How physical activity affects young adults' subjective wellbeing: the mediation role of subjective socioeconomic status and social support.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Exercise Attitudes Mediate the Impact of Mental Health on Physical Activity Practices Among Chinese College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chongqing.Journal of multidisciplinary healthcare · 2026Article
- Perceived physical literacy and subjective wellbeing in university students: the indirect association via autonomous sports motivation.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Physical activity and wellbeing among pre-service helping professionals: the role of lifestyle in a Hungarian university sample.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among Nursing Students and Coping Strategies Used.Revista brasileira de enfermagem · 2026Observational
- Exploring the Role of Sleep and Physical Activity in Academic Stress, Motivation, Self-Efficacy, and Dropout Intention Among Italian University Students.European journal of investigation in health, psychology and education · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Most research support positive relationships between physical activity and mental health. However, possible moderating variables of these relationships have also been identified, such as age, gender, level of physical activity, and the scope of physical activity. This study aimed to analyze the relationships between physical activity and mental health levels in undergraduate students, assessing whether these associations can change depending on the level of physical activity (low, medium, or high) and the setting (occupational, commuting, or leisure time physical activity) in which it was performed. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample comprised 847 undergraduate students. Physical activity and mental health were measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQv2) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). We found relationships between students' physical activity level and their mental health status. The higher the total physical activity, the better their mental health scores. High levels of commuting and leisure time physical activity is also associated with better mental health, while only moderate levels of occupational physical activity are associated with better mental health status. Regarding the possible associations between physical activity and vulnerability to mental health problems, with the fully adjusted regression model, leisure time and occupational physical activity remain protective of a poor state of mental health. Leisure time physical activity, performed at a high level, and moderate occupational physical activity seems to be the best combination of physical activity to reduce students' vulnerability to potential mental health problems.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.