ArticleThe international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity2025
Non-linear dose-response association between physical activity and mental health in adolescents: a prospective cohort study based on SEARCH.
Article in The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed.
- Differential Moderation by Aerobic and Muscle-Strengthening Physical Activity of the Violence Victimization-Suicidal Ideation Association in Korean Adolescents.Suicide & life-threatening behavior · 2026Article
- Association of parental moderate-to-vigorous physical activity with child overweight/obesity, physical fitness and MVPA guideline adherence: dose-response analyses among schoolchildren.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Effects of Single Bolus Exposure to Propofol on Depression-like Behavior in a Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Model in Mice.Anesthesiology · 2026Article
- Latent profile analysis of physical activity and mental health among chinese high school adolescents.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- More is not always better: longitudinal associations and nonlinear dose-response relationships between physical activity, psychological capital, and positive body image among Chinese university students.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Network analysis of lifestyle behaviors and anxiety in children and adolescents: gender and school-stage heterogeneity.Frontiers in psychology · 2026Article
- Physical activity and adolescent anxiety trajectories: a longitudinal analysis of exercise self-efficacy and body image.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
- Associations Between Mental Health Status and Sleep and Physical Activity Among Adolescents in Hawai'i.Hawai'i journal of health & social welfare · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundAdolescent mental health has emerged as a critical public health issue, with increasing prevalence of anxiety and depression. Physical activity (PA) is known to offer numerous health benefits, but its relationship with adolescent mental health is less clear and the optimal intensity and duration remain debated.
methodsThis prospective cohort study analyzed data from 6,991 adolescents in Jiangsu, China. Mental health was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and PA was categorized as moderate-intensity PA (MPA) or vigorous-intensity PA (VPA) based on self-reported activity levels. The study examined the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between PA and mental health, adjusting for various confounding factors.
resultsAmong the cohort (mean age, 12.71 ± 2.12 years; 53.6% male), 1,265 participants (18.1%) had mental health issues at baseline. Cross-sectional analyses revealed a significant negative non-linear dose-response association between levels of MPA and VPA and the prevalence of mental health problems in adolescents (P = 0.001), after adjusting for potential confounding factors such as age, gender, nationality, and family structure. Specifically, adolescents who engaged in 30-59 min of MPA daily exhibited a 56.4% reduction in the odds ratios of mental health issues (OR = 0.436, 95% CI: 0.327-0.581, P < 0.001). Similarly, those who participated in up to 29 min of VPA daily had 49.2% lower odds ratios (OR = 0.508, 95% CI: 0.415-0.622, P < 0.001). Longitudinal analyses confirmed that MPA and VPA were significantly negatively associated with the incidence of subsequent mental health problems. In particular, adolescents who engaged in 30-59 min of MPA daily (OR = 0.548, 95% CI: 0.411-0.729, P < 0.001) and up to 29 min of VPA daily (OR = 0.583, 95% CI: 0.474-0.716, P < 0.001) demonstrated the strongest protective effects. Sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses also confirmed the robustness of these results.
conclusionsSignificant positive associations exist between moderate PA and improved adolescent mental health outcomes. The better effects are observed with 30-59 min of MPA or ≤ 29 min of VPA daily. Exceeding these durations may not yield additional benefits. When promoting PA among adolescents, focus should be placed on selecting appropriate activity types and scientifically managing activity duration.
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