Physical Activity and Mental Health in Undergraduate Students

Gabriel Rodríguez-Romo, Jorge Acebes-Sánchez (), Sonia García-Merino, María Garrido-Muñoz, Cecilia Blanco-García and Ignacio Diez-Vega
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Gabriel Rodríguez-Romo: Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Jorge Acebes-Sánchez: Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV), 28223 Madrid, Spain
Sonia García-Merino: Faculty of Psychology, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV), 28223 Madrid, Spain
María Garrido-Muñoz: Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Cecilia Blanco-García: Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Ignacio Diez-Vega: Departamento de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de León, 24007 León, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 20, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Most research support positive relationships between physical activity and mental health. However, possible moderating variables of these relationships have also been identified, such as age, gender, level of physical activity, and the scope of physical activity. This study aimed to analyze the relationships between physical activity and mental health levels in undergraduate students, assessing whether these associations can change depending on the level of physical activity (low, medium, or high) and the setting (occupational, commuting, or leisure time physical activity) in which it was performed. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample comprised 847 undergraduate students. Physical activity and mental health were measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQv2) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). We found relationships between students’ physical activity level and their mental health status. The higher the total physical activity, the better their mental health scores. High levels of commuting and leisure time physical activity is also associated with better mental health, while only moderate levels of occupational physical activity are associated with better mental health status. Regarding the possible associations between physical activity and vulnerability to mental health problems, with the fully adjusted regression model, leisure time and occupational physical activity remain protective of a poor state of mental health. Leisure time physical activity, performed at a high level, and moderate occupational physical activity seems to be the best combination of physical activity to reduce students’ vulnerability to potential mental health problems.

Keywords: mental health; physical activity; sports; exercise; undergraduate students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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