The Role of the Context of Physical Activity for Its Association with Affective Well-Being: An Experience Sampling Study in Young Adults

Yu-Mei Li (), Justin Hachenberger () and Sakari Lemola
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Yu-Mei Li: Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
Justin Hachenberger: Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany
Sakari Lemola: Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 17, 1-13

Abstract: Physical activity and being outdoors both improve affective well-being. However, little is known about the synergistic effects between them and the influences of contextual factors such as the life domain of physical activity (work-, chores-, leisure, or sports-related) or the type of the outdoor environment (green space, blue space, or city area) on mood. This study investigates the synergistic effects of physical activity and being outdoors as well as the potential role of contextual factors on mood. A total of 158 individuals aged 18–25 years (133 females) participated in a 14-day experience sampling study. Participants received seven prompts per day and answered questions about their physical activity, contextual factors, and affective well-being. Physical activity and being outdoors were associated with concurrent higher levels of positive and lower levels of negative affect compared to being physically inactive or being indoors, respectively. However, no synergistic effects were found. Being outdoors in a city area was associated with a less positive and more negative affect than being in nature. Work- and chores-related physical activity was associated with less positive affect and more negative affect compared to sports- or leisure-related physical activity. To foster positive affect, people should schedule leisure-related physical activity in nature.

Keywords: mental health; physical activity; exposure to nature; contextual factors; experience sampling method (ESM) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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