1. Associations Between Physical Activity, Depressive, and Anxiety Symptoms in Brazilian University Students.
- Author
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Gaia, Jhonatan Wélington Pereira, Marinho, Paulo Henrique Amorim, Ferreira, Rodrigo Weyll, and Pires, Daniel Alvarez
- Subjects
CROSS-sectional method ,EFFECT sizes (Statistics) ,T-test (Statistics) ,RESEARCH funding ,UNDERGRADUATES ,UNIVERSITIES & colleges ,SCIENTIFIC observation ,QUESTIONNAIRES ,ANXIETY ,DESCRIPTIVE statistics ,ODDS ratio ,ANALYSIS of variance ,SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC factors ,PSYCHOLOGICAL tests ,COMPARATIVE studies ,CONFIDENCE intervals ,PHYSICAL activity ,MENTAL depression ,REGRESSION analysis - Abstract
Background: Physical activity (PA) has been associated with decreased symptoms of depression and anxiety in the general population, but more consistent evidence is needed in the university population. Purpose: Investigate the association between physical activity and depressive and anxiety symptoms in undergraduates. Methods: 100 university students (23 ± 4 years, 47% female) were included in this cross-sectional study. We performed multiple linear regression analyses to investigate the association between the main variables. Results: The physical activity (MET/min/week) had a significant association with depressive (F(2, 97) = 15.104, p <.001; adjusted R2 =.222) and anxiety symptoms (F(2, 97) = 11.853 p <.001; adjusted R2 =.180), explaining these outcomes in approximately 22% and 18%, respectively. Moderate or vigorous physical activity did not have an association with depressive (B = −0.10, t = −0.700, p =.486) or anxiety symptoms (B = −0.11, t = 0.725, p =.470). Discussion: Individuals with high levels of physical activity have lower depressive and anxiety symptoms than individuals with lower levels of PA. Translation to Health Education Practice: Increasing the level of physical activity may be a viable strategy to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in university students. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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