Do the American guideline-based leisure time physical activity levels for civilians benefit the mental health of military personnel?

• Published in: Frontiers in psychiatry Vol. 14; p. 1255516
• Main Authors: Tsai, Kun-Zhe, Liu, Pang-Yen, Lin, Yen-Po, Chu, Chen-Chih, Huang, Wei-Chun, Sui, Xuemei, Lavie, Carl J., Lin, Gen-Min
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A 14.11.2023
• Subjects: leisure time physical activity; mental health; military personnel; Psychiatry; psychological distress; suicide ideation
• ISSN: 1664-0640; 1664-0640
• DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1255516

Backgrounds This study aimed to clarify the association of American guideline-based leisure time physical activity (PA) level with mental health in 4,080 military personnel in Taiwan. Methods The moderate intensity PA level was assessed according to the total running time per week (wk) reported in a self-administered questionnaire over the previous 6  months and was categorized into PA level <150, 150–299, and ≥300  min/wk. Mental stress was assessed by the Brief Symptom Rating Scale (BSRS)-5 for which ≥15 points were classified as great mental stress. Suicide ideation (SI) was graded as 1 for mild, 2 for moderate, and 3 or 4 for severe. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the association between PA and mental health while adjusting for demographics, smoking, alcohol intake, betel nut chewing, and obesity. Results As compared to participants with a PA level of <150  min/wk., those with PA levels 150–299  min/wk. and ≥  300  min/wk. had a lower possibility of SI ≥1 [odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 0.58 (0.40–0.83) and 0.23 (0.14–0.36), respectively] and SI ≥1 and/or BSRS-5 ≥  15 [ORs: 0.55 (0.39–0.79) and 0.21 (0.13–0.34), respectively]. The possibilities were more significantly lower for SI ≥2 [ORs: 0.37 (0.20–0.68) and 0.10 (0.04–0.26), respectively] and SI ≥2 and/or BSRS-5 ≥  15 [ORs: 0.35 (0.20–0.62) and 0.10 (0.04–0.25), respectively]. Conclusion Our findings indicate that participating in moderate-intensity leisure time PA level for ≥150  min/wk. may have a positive effect on mental health among military personnel. The impact appears to be even more significant when engaging in a higher PA level of ≥300  min/wk.