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Published on: March 7, 2019
Dose-response relationship between physical activity and mental health outcomes in adolescents
1School of Public Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Health Technology Assessment, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Background:
Physical activity is generally associated with improved adolescent mental health, yet its dose-response relationship remains unclear. This study examined how physical activity relates to stress perception, psychological resilience, and self-efficacy among adolescents.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in September 2024 among 2,270 students aged 12-15 years from 4 middle schools in Shanghai, China. Multivariable linear regression and restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were used to examine association and dose-response relationships, adjusting for demographic and academic covariates.
Results:
Higher physical activity was significantly associated with lower stress perception (B = -0.13, p < 0.001), higher psychological resilience (B = 0.33, p < 0.001), and higher self-efficacy (B = 0.25, p < 0.001). RCS analyses revealed dose-response relationships. At lower physical activity levels, the slopes were -5.65 for stress perception, 8.59 for psychological resilience, and 12.10 for self-efficacy (all p < 0.001), while at higher physical activity levels, the associations were substantially attenuated. Gender-stratified analyses indicated stronger associations in males than in females.
Conclusion:
Physical activity is associated with better mental health in adolescents, particularly among those with lower activity levels. The findings highlight the importance of targeting less active adolescents in school-based interventions.
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