Abstract
Background
Vigorous physical activity (VPA) may be beneficial for mental health. The aim of the study was to investigate cross-sectional associations between VPA, perceived stress, sleep quality and quantity and mental health among university students.
Methods
In a cross-sectional study, using anonymous questionnaires, data was collected from 15122 (42.1% male and 57.9% female) university students [mean age 20.6, standard deviation (SD) = 2.0] from 23 countries in the Americas, Africa and Asia. They were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short version), and measures of sociodemographic, health status, health behaviour and anthropometrics.
Results
Students who met VPA recommendations were less likely to report perceived stress, more likely to report subjective good health and depression than students without VPA. There was no association between VPA and sleep quality and quantity and PTSD symptoms.
Conclusion
This study only found partial benefits of VPA in relation to well-being of university students.
Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interest.
References
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©2018 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Original Articles
- Associations between body weight status, psychological well-being and disordered eating with intuitive eating among Malaysian undergraduate university students
- Using the Internet to access health-related information: results from a nationally representative sample of New Zealand secondary school students
- Differences and similarities in medicine use, perceptions and sharing among adolescents in two different educational settings
- Disparities in obesity prevalence and obesity-related behaviors among adolescents in Trinidad and Tobago
- Decreasing screen time and/or increasing exercise only helps in certain situations for young adults
- Assessment of anxiety in adolescents involved in a study abroad program: a prospective study
- Assessment of health literacy with the Newest Vital Sign and its correlation with body mass index in female adolescent students
- Causative factors for sexual and reproductive health status of pregnant adolescent girls in urban communities of Lagos, Nigeria
- A comparison of positive youth development against depression and suicidal ideation in youth from Hong Kong and the Netherlands
- Using theory of planned behavior for prediction of delivery mode among pregnant women: a theory-based cross-sectional research
- Relationships between metabolic profile, hypertension and uric acid with cardiometabolic risk in adolescents with abdominal obesity: impact of geodemographic factors on the prevalence of abdominal obesity
- Increased risk of sadness and suicidality among victims of bullying experiencing additional threats to physical safety
- Association between sleep quality and quality of life among students: a cross sectional study
- Menstrual irregularity and use of oral contraceptives in female adolescent athletes in Swedish National Sports High Schools
- Exploration of brushing behavior among university students in Iran: a qualitative research
- Vigorous physical activity, perceived stress, sleep and mental health among university students from 23 low- and middle-income countries
- Cross-sectional comparison of age-related changes in the quadriceps femoris in Japanese basketball players
- Knowledge, attitude and practice towards eating and physical activity among primary school children in Brunei: a cross-sectional study
Articles in the same Issue
- Original Articles
- Associations between body weight status, psychological well-being and disordered eating with intuitive eating among Malaysian undergraduate university students
- Using the Internet to access health-related information: results from a nationally representative sample of New Zealand secondary school students
- Differences and similarities in medicine use, perceptions and sharing among adolescents in two different educational settings
- Disparities in obesity prevalence and obesity-related behaviors among adolescents in Trinidad and Tobago
- Decreasing screen time and/or increasing exercise only helps in certain situations for young adults
- Assessment of anxiety in adolescents involved in a study abroad program: a prospective study
- Assessment of health literacy with the Newest Vital Sign and its correlation with body mass index in female adolescent students
- Causative factors for sexual and reproductive health status of pregnant adolescent girls in urban communities of Lagos, Nigeria
- A comparison of positive youth development against depression and suicidal ideation in youth from Hong Kong and the Netherlands
- Using theory of planned behavior for prediction of delivery mode among pregnant women: a theory-based cross-sectional research
- Relationships between metabolic profile, hypertension and uric acid with cardiometabolic risk in adolescents with abdominal obesity: impact of geodemographic factors on the prevalence of abdominal obesity
- Increased risk of sadness and suicidality among victims of bullying experiencing additional threats to physical safety
- Association between sleep quality and quality of life among students: a cross sectional study
- Menstrual irregularity and use of oral contraceptives in female adolescent athletes in Swedish National Sports High Schools
- Exploration of brushing behavior among university students in Iran: a qualitative research
- Vigorous physical activity, perceived stress, sleep and mental health among university students from 23 low- and middle-income countries
- Cross-sectional comparison of age-related changes in the quadriceps femoris in Japanese basketball players
- Knowledge, attitude and practice towards eating and physical activity among primary school children in Brunei: a cross-sectional study