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Published on: March 7, 2019
Health-Enhancing Physical Activity: Associations with Markers of Well-Being
Diane E Mack1, Philip M Wilson1, Katie E Gunnell1
1Brock University, CanadaUniversity of British Columbia, CanadaUniversity of Saskatchewan, Canada.
Background:
The association between health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) and well-being was investigated across a cross-sectional (Study 1; N=243) and a longitudinal, two-wave (Study 2; N=198) design. Study 2 further examined the role played by fulfilling basic psychological needs in terms of understanding the mechanisms via which HEPA is associated with well-being.
Methods:
Women enrolled in undergraduate courses were surveyed.
Results:
In general, greater HEPA was associated with greater well-being (Study 1; rs ranged from .03 to .25). Change score analyses revealed that increased HEPA positively predicted well-being (Study 2; R(2) adj=0.03 to 0.15) with psychological need fulfilment underpinning this relationship.
Conclusions:
Collectively these findings indicate that increased engagement in health-enhancing physical activity represents one factor associated with greater well-being. Continued investigation of basic psychological need fulfilment as one mechanism underpinning the HEPA-well-being relationship appears justified.
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