Mechanisms underpinning the association between physical activity and mental health in adolescence: a 6-year study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Physical activity (PA) can promote mental health, but the mechanisms underpinning this association are not well-established. This study examined if perceptions of three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) mediate the association between number of years participating in PA and mental health in adolescence.

Methods

Participants included 937 children (55% female) age 10-11 at inception of the longitudinal MATCH study, who provided data every 4 months over 6 years. Mediation analyses were used to assess the natural direct effect of number of years of PA participation (cycles 1-15) during late childhood and adolescence on later mental health (cycle 16), measured with the Mental Health Continuum

SUBMITTER: Dore I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6993479 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature