The Association of Physical (in)Activity with Mental Health. Differences between Elder and Younger Populations: A Systematic Literature Review

Laia Maynou, Helena M. Hernández-Pizarro and María Errea Rodríguez
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Laia Maynou: Health Policy Department, London School of Economics and Political Science, London WC2A 2AE, UK
Helena M. Hernández-Pizarro: Centre for Research in Health and Economics (CRES-UPF) Mercè Rodoreda Building, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08005 Barcelona, Spain
María Errea Rodríguez: Freelance Researcher, 31007 Pamplona, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-34

Abstract: Background: Physical activity is associated with mental health benefits. This systematic literature review summarises extant evidence regarding this association, and explores differences observed between populations over sixty-five years and those younger than sixty-five. Methods: We reviewed articles and grey literature reporting at least one measure of physical activity and at least one mental disorder, in people of all ages. Results: From the 2263 abstracts screened, we extracted twenty-seven articles and synthesized the evidence regarding the association between physical (in)activity and one or more mental health outcome measures. We confirmed that physical activity is beneficial for mental health. However, the evidence was mostly based on self-reported physical activity and mental health measures. Only one study compared younger and elder populations, finding that increasing the level of physical activity improved mental health for middle aged and elder women (no association was observed for younger women). Studies including only the elderly found a restricted mental health improvement due to physical activity. Conclusions: We found inverse associations between levels of physical activity and mental health problems. However, more evidence regarding the effect of ageing when measuring associations between physical activity and mental health is needed. By doing so, prescription of physical activity could be more accurately targeted.

Keywords: systematic literature review; physical activity; diagnosed mental health; ageing; clinically relevant mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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