A Scoping Review of the Relationship between Running and Mental Health

Freya Oswald, Jennifer Campbell, Chloë Williamson, Justin Richards and Paul Kelly
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Freya Oswald: Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
Jennifer Campbell: Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
Chloë Williamson: Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAHRC), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ, UK
Justin Richards: Faculty of Health, Victoria University Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Paul Kelly: Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAHRC), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ, UK

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-39

Abstract: Poor mental health contributes significantly to global morbidity. The evidence regarding physical benefits of running are well-established. However, the mental health impacts of running remain unclear. An overview of the relationship between running and mental health has not been published in the last 30 years. The purpose of this study was to review the literature on the relationship between running and mental health. Our scoping review used combinations of running terms (e.g., Run* and Jog*) and mental health terms (general and condition specific). Databases used were Ovid(Medline), Ovid(Embase), ProQuest and SportDiscus. Quantitative study types reporting on the relationships between running and mental health were included. Database searches identified 16,401 studies; 273 full-texts were analysed with 116 studies included. Overall, studies suggest that running bouts of variable lengths and intensities, and running interventions can improve mood and mental health and that the type of running can lead to differential effects. However, lack of controls and diversity in participant demographics are limitations that need to be addressed. Cross-sectional evidence shows not only a range of associations with mental health but also some associations with adverse mental health (such as exercise addiction). This review identified extensive literature on the relationship between running and mental health.

Keywords: exercise; mental health; psychology; physical activity; running; jogging (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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