Psychosocial discomfort and exercise frequency: an epidemiological study of adolescents

This study sought to determine the extent to which adolescents (N = 1,297) who report different levels of physical exercise vary with respect to selected indicators of psychosocial discomfort. Results indicated that those who exercise infrequently suffer more from loneliness, shyness, and hopelessness than do adolescents who exercise more frequently. The potential confounding effects of gender, grade level, perceived attractiveness, body mass, and weight satisfaction were statistically controlled. Potential explanations for the observed relationships between frequency of exercise and psychosocial discomfort and implications for fitness, recreation, and health professionals are presented.