Physical Activity Dimensions Differentially Predict Physical and Mental Components of Health-Related Quality of Life: Evidence from a Sport for All Study

Andreas Ihle, Bruna R. Gouveia, Élvio R. Gouveia, Boris Cheval, Marcelo de Maio Nascimento, Lúcia Conceição, Priscila Marconcin, Miguel Peralta, Gerson Ferrari, Duarte Oliveira and Matthias Kliegel
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Andreas Ihle: Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
Bruna R. Gouveia: Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
Élvio R. Gouveia: Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
Boris Cheval: Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, University of Geneva, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland
Marcelo de Maio Nascimento: Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Vale do São Francisco, Petrolina 56304-917, Brazil
Lúcia Conceição: Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal
Priscila Marconcin: Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, 1495-751 Lisbon, Portugal
Miguel Peralta: CIPER, Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon, 1495-751 Lisbon, Portugal
Gerson Ferrari: School of Physical Activity, Sport and Health Sciences, University of Santiago de Chile, Santiago 7500618, Chile
Duarte Oliveira: Madeira Association of Sport for All, 9050-028 Funchal, Portugal
Matthias Kliegel: Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Gerontology and Vulnerability, University of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-9

Abstract: The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between different dimensions of physical activity (PA) (i.e., work, sport, leisure) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (i.e., overall, physical component, mental component) in an adult lifespan sample of 381 active individuals (age range: 18–88 years; 38.8% men), while controlling for important covariates in terms of sex, age, education, and health profile regarding medical history. HRQoL was assessed using the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). Usual (i.e., previous 12 months) PA was assessed during face-to-face interviews using the Baecke questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analyses showed in Step 1 that the three PA dimensions work, sport, and leisure (entered simultaneously) together predicted 8%, 10%, and 4% of the variance in SF-12 total score, SF-12 physical component, and SF-12 mental component, respectively. In the final model, adjusting for sex, age, education, and health profile regarding medical history, sport emerged as the only PA dimension predicting SF-12 total score and the SF-12 physical component. In conclusion, health-policy targets at the community level should include the promotion of lifelong engagement in PA, especially sport, to allow the sustainability of HRQoL across the lifespan of our society.

Keywords: health-related quality of life; well-being; mental health; physical health; physical activity; sport for all; exercise (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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