ArticleBMC public health2024
Influence of moderate-to-high intensity physical activity on depression levels: a study based on a health survey of Chinese university students.
Article in BMC public health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 39 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
39 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 28 citations in OpenAlex.
- Effectiveness of different exercise interventions on depressive symptoms among college students: a network meta-analysis.BMC public health · 2025Pooled it
- Physical activity and mental health: a systematic review and best-evidence synthesis of mediation and moderation studies.The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity · 2024Pooled it
- 25-Hydroxyvitamin D status does not affect energy metabolism among young, healthy, non-obese adults: a metabolic chamber study.Frontiers in endocrinology · 2024Trial
- Perceptions of Change in Depression Among Participants in a Program Based on Permission Theory.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- High-risk influencing factors associated with physical inactivity and gender differences among Chinese university students in 2024.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Different Dimensions of Social Support on Social Media and Leisure-Time Physical Activity Intentions Among Chinese College Students Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study.JMIR formative research · 2026Article
- Article
- Depression and general self-efficacy among first-generation college students in China: a longitudinal analysis.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- The Association Between Physical Activity and Domain-Specific Cognitive Function in the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study and Genetic Analysis.Brain and behavior · 2026Review
- Path analysis of psychological resilience as a mediator of the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms among university students.BMC psychology · 2026Article
- Exercise motivation patterns in emerging adults: dual roles of weight and shape concern in activation and inhibition pathways.BMC psychology · 2026Article
- Associations between 24-h movement behaviors and optimal mental health of Chinese university students: a compositional data analysis.BMC public health · 2026Article
- The mechanism of physical exercise and adolescent short-form video app addiction: the chain mediating role of autonomous motivation and mental health literacy.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Latent profiles of sport participation motivation and their association with campus sports culture among higher vocational college students.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Perceived academic demands and psychological distress among Chinese university students: structural associations involving chronic time pressure and leisure-time physical activity.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Physical exercise and risk of common mental disorders among higher education students: A national prospective study.PloS one · 2026Article
- Health behaviors, physical activity, and subjective well-being: rural-urban inequities among double first-class university graduate students in China.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Article
- Impact of physical exercise on sleep quality in college students: A Chain mediating role of self-efficacy and emotional control.PloS one · 2026Article
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveThe study aims to examine how moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) affects the severity of depression symptoms among Chinese college students. Additionally, it seeks to analyze the mediating mechanisms involving self-rated health and general self-efficacy.
methodsThe study utilized data from the 2023 Chinese College Health Tracking Survey and employed multiple linear regression and structural equation modeling techniques to investigate the impacts of MVPA on depression levels and its underlying mediating mechanisms among college students. The primary cohort comprised 49,717 enrolled college students from 106 universities in China.
resultsA total of 41,620 valid questionnaires were collected (response rate: 83.7%), with females accounting for 58.6%. In the past month, approximately 30.2% of college students engaged in MVPA. Self-rated health (B = - 0.282, P < 0.001) and general self-efficacy (B = - 0.133, P < 0.001) significantly influenced college students' depression scores. Even after controlling for other variables, participating in MVPA remained significantly associated with reduced depression scores (B = - 0.062, P = 0.002). The results of the structural equation model showed that MVPA not only directly decreased college students' depression scores but also indirectly reduced the likelihood of depression occurrence by improving their physical health status and general self-efficacy.
conclusionThe lack of physical activity among Chinese college students is evident. Engaging in MVPA can reduce the likelihood of depression among college students. MVPA achieves this reduction by enhancing college students' general self-efficacy and improving their physical health. The factors influencing depression levels among college students are multifaceted. For future interventions targeting college students' mental health, comprehensive approaches that incorporate behavioral and psychological factors should be emphasized.
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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.