Association Between Physical Activity and Mental Health in Primary School Children

Mental health during childhood is a major public health concern, and physical activity has been proposed as a modifiable behaviour associated with psychological well-being and emotional health. This study examined the associations between physical activity and mental health indicators, including psychological well-being, anxiety symptoms, and everyday stress, in primary school children. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 207 children from two schools in Jaén (Spain). Physical activity, psychological well-being, anxiety, and stress were assessed using validated questionnaires. Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, and socioeconomic status were performed. Physical activity was positively associated with all dimensions of psychological well-being and with total psychological well-being (r = 0.182, p = 0.009). Significant inverse correlations were observed between physical activity and all anxiety dimensions, as well as total anxiety (r = -0.145, p = 0.037), although the association with total anxiety was not significant after adjustment (β = -0.149, p = 0.112). Physical activity was also negatively associated with all stress dimensions and remained significantly associated with lower total stress after adjustment (β = -0.253, p = 0.007). These findings indicate that higher levels of physical activity are associated with greater psychological well-being and lower everyday stress in primary school children. However, given the cross-sectional design, these associations should not be interpreted as causal relationships. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the directionality of these associations.