The Link Between Physical Fitness and Mental Health
Ever thought that physical fitness is not only good for your body but also for your mind? Recent research has explored that idea, especially among young people.
Researchers have looked into how fitness, such as cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength, is related to the mental well-being of children and teenagers. What did they find? Overall, fitter young people tend to feel better mentally. But there's more to it. Age, the type of fitness, and even your financial situation can all play a role in this relationship.
An Overview
In a recent study, 58 studies were analyzed to investigate the relationship between physical fitness and mental health in young people. Here are the key findings:
Study Selection: Out of 7215 identified studies, 58 unique studies were selected for inclusion, with 43 being included in the meta-analysis.
Risk of Bias: Overall, the included studies exhibited a high level of quality, with a low risk of bias.
Data Collection: The studies included a wide range of participants, ranging from children to adolescents, and examined various fitness components and mental health indicators.
Key Findings: Quantitative analyses indicated a small to moderate positive association between physical fitness and mental health in young people. Muscular fitness and cardiorespiratory fitness showed the strongest associations with psychological well-being.
Interventions: Intervention studies suggested that changes in physical fitness can have positive effects on mental health, particularly in terms of self-esteem and physical self-image.
Overall, this research underscores the importance of physical fitness in promoting the mental health of young people. These findings can be used to develop interventions that help young people lead healthy lifestyles and improve their well-being.
Bron: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-021-01520-y#Sec12