The relationship between physical activity and mental health in a national sample of college females

• Published in: Women & health Vol. 45; no. 1; p. 69
• Main Authors: Adams, Troy B, Moore, Monique T, Dye, John
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.01.2007
• Subjects: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Anxiety - epidemiology; Confidence Intervals; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression - epidemiology; Exercise; Female; Humans; Life Style; Mental Health - statistics & numerical data; Odds Ratio; Suicide, Attempted - statistics & numerical data; Surveys and Questionnaires; United States - epidemiology; Women's Health; United States
• ISSN: 0363-0242
• DOI: 10.1300/J013v45n01_05

The objective of the present analysis was to examine the relationship between vigorous/moderate or strength training exercise, and mental health in a national sample of college females. Secondary data (n = 22,073) from the National College Health Assessment administered during the Spring 2002 and 2003 semesters were used in a cross-sectional design. Depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and perceived health were the dependent variables; and two measures of weekly exercise frequency were the independent variables. Vigorous/moderate exercise was associated with positively associated perceived health and modestly negatively associated with depression. Strength training exercise was positively associated with perceived health and modestly negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. These findings support an association between two forms of exercise and several indicators of mental health. Additional longitudinal research is needed prior to endorsing exercise as treatment for mental disorders.