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The association between exercise participation and well-being: a co-twin study
J H Stubbe1, M H M de Moor, D I Boomsma
1Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit, Van der Boechorststraat 1, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. jh.stubbe@psy.vu.nl
Preventive Medicine
|October 25, 2006
Summary
Regular exercise is linked to greater life satisfaction and happiness. However, this association appears to be non-causal, likely influenced by shared genetic factors influencing both exercise habits and well-being.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Genetics
- Psychology
Background:
- Leisure time exercise participation is widely believed to enhance psychological well-being.
- Existing research often shows a positive association between physical activity and subjective well-being, including life satisfaction and happiness.
- However, the causal nature of this relationship remains debated, with potential confounding factors like genetics and lifestyle influencing both exercise behavior and well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between leisure time exercise participation and psychological well-being (life satisfaction and happiness).
- To examine the potential causality underlying the observed association using a co-twin control design.
Main Methods:
- A large cohort of approximately 8000 individuals (aged 18-65) from The Netherlands Twin Registry (NTR) was analyzed for the association between exercise and well-being.
- Causality was assessed using the co-twin control method in monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs, dizygotic (DZ) twin and sibling pairs, and unrelated individuals.
Main Results:
- Individuals who participated in leisure time exercise reported higher levels of life satisfaction and happiness across all age groups compared to non-exercisers.
- The odds ratio for life satisfaction was significantly higher than unity in unrelated individuals and showed a trend in DZ pairs, but was close to unity in MZ twin pairs.
- A similar pattern was observed for happiness, indicating a non-causal association.
Conclusions:
- Exercise participation is positively associated with increased life satisfaction and happiness.
- The observed association between exercise and well-being is likely non-causal.
- Genetic factors appear to mediate this relationship, influencing both an individual's propensity to exercise and their overall well-being.
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