Skip to main content

ETHNOS_APP

Home • Search • Journals • List 0

Physical exercise and psychological well being

A critical review.

Bibliographic Data

ID23345176
AuthorsDeirdre Scully (0000-0002-5918-5615, University of Ulster), John Kremer (University of Ulster), M M Meade, Mary Meade (University of Ulster), R Graham (0000-0002-1130-8508), Katrin Dudgeon (University of Ulster)
Year1998
Volume32
Issue2
Pages111-120
Publication date1998-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueBritish Journal of Sports Medicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0306-3674 • E-ISSN: 1473-0480
PublisherBMJ (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1136/bjsm.32.2.111
PMID9631216
OpenAlexW2161259339
LanguageEN
Citations received95
References cited68

The relation between physical exercise and psychological health has increasingly come under the spotlight over recent years. While the message emanating from physiological research has extolled the general advantages of exercise in terms of physical health, the equivalent psychological literature has revealed a more complex relation. The paper outlines the research evidence, focusing on the relation between physical exercise and depression, anxiety, stress responsivity, mood state, self esteem, premenstrual syndrome, and body image. Consideration is also given to the phenomena of exercise addiction and withdrawal, and implications for exercise prescription are discussed.

Addiction · Anxiety · Depression (economics) · Exercise prescription · Mood · Physical exercise · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Relation (database) · Clinical Psychology · Eating Disorders and Behaviors · Medicine · Physical Activity and Health · Physical Education and Training Studies · Psychology

  • Effect of Physical Activity on Perceived Stress, Sleep Quality and Subjective Happiness during Middle Age

    Open Access•Sukhminder Kaur, Chitra Arora et al.•Saudi Journal of Humanities and…•2020

  • Relationship between psychological resilience and stress coping strategies in karate athletes

    Open Access•Sonnur Kuçuk Kiliç•Revista de Artes Marciales…•2020

  • Protective factors, campus climate, and health outcomes among sexual minority college students

    Michael R Woodford, Alex Kulick et al.•Journal of Diversity in Higher…•2014

  • Before and during the Covid-19 Pandemic, Physical Fitness Association with Mental Health among Higher Education Students

    Open Access•Ibrahim A Elshaer, Mohamed A Zayed•International Journal of…•2022

  • Clarifying Exercise Addiction

    Open Access•Marilyn Freimuth, Sandy Moniz et al.•International Journal of…•2011

  • The Use of Physical Activity in Coping with Test Anxiety Among Students

    Open Access•Sarah Soares Amorim, João Paulo Langsdorff Serafim et al.•International Journal of…•2025

  • Is the Prevalence of Low Physical Activity among Teachers Associated with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress

    Open Access•Elżbieta Biernat, Monika Piątkowska et al.•International Journal of…•2022

  • The Effect of Exercise Intensity on Affective and Repetition Priming in Middle-Aged Adults

    Open Access•Cristina Perez-Rojo, Jennifer A Rieker et al.•International Journal of…•2022

  • Physical Fitness in Young Padel Players

    Open Access•Javier Courel‐Ibáñez, Javier Llorca-Miralles•International Journal of…•2021

  • Acute mood responses to a 15-minute long walking session at self-selected intensity

    Fabien D Legrand, Joanne Thatcher•Emotion•2011

  • An Investigation of Exercise and the Placebo Effect

    Dixie Stanforth, M Steinhardt et al.•American Journal of Health Behavior•2011

  • The Effect of a 12-Week Physical Exercise Program in Adults on Satisfaction with Life, Self-Esteem, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Perceived Social Support

    Open Access•Ferudun Dorak•The Anthropologist•2015

  • Experimental comparison of the psychological benefits of aerobic exercise, humor, and music

    Attila Szabó, Sarah E Ainsworth et al.•Humor - International Journal of…•2005

  • Activity and Sleep Contribute to Levels of Anticipatory Distress in Breast Surgery Patients

    Kristin Tatrow, Guy H Montgomery et al.•Behavioral Medicine•2004

  • Yoga, well-being, and transcendence

    Martin Kidd, Virginia Eatough•The Humanistic Psychologist•2017

  • Environmental and health benefits of hunting lifestyles and diets for the Innu of Labrador

    Open Access•C Mathews Samson, Colin Samson et al.•Food Policy•2006

  • The impact of the ‘Girls on the Move’ Leadership Programme on young female leaders’ self-esteem

    John A Taylor•Leisure Studies•2014

  • Depression as a Risk Factor for Coronary Artery Disease

    Heather S Lett, James A Blumenthal et al.•Psychosomatic Medicine•2004

  • Evaluating the effectiveness of psychosocial resilience training for heart health, and the added value of promoting physical activity

    Open Access•Nicola W Burton, Kenneth I Pakenham et al.•BMC Public Health•2009

  • Greater levels of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness are associated with low stress and high mental resources in normal but not overweight men

    Open Access•Oili Kettunen, Heikki Kyröläinen et al.•BMC Public Health•2016

  • Intensive Physical Activity and Alexithymia

    Open Access•Benjamin Allegre, Marc Souville et al.•Psychological Reports•2007

  • Intensive Physical Activity and Alexithymia

    Benjamin Allegre•Psychological Reports•2007

  • How nature contributes to mental and physical health

    Open Access•Jules Pretty•Spirituality and Health…•2004

  • The mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise

    Jules Pretty, Jo Peacock et al.•International Journal of…•2005

  • Relations among exercise type, self-objectification, and body image in the fitness centre environment

    Open Access•Ivanka Prichard, Marika Tiggemann•Psychology of Sport and Exercise•2008

  • The Relationship between the Physical Activity Environment, Nature Relatedness, Anxiety, and the Psychological Well-being Benefits of Regular Exercisers

    Open Access•Emma Lawton, Eric Brymer et al.•Frontiers in Psychology•2017

  • Effects of physical exercise on anxiety, depression, and sensitivity to stress

    Open Access•Pierre Salmon, Peter Salmon•Clinical Psychology Review•2001

  • Effects of acute bouts of exercise on cognition

    Open Access•Phillip D Tomporowski•Acta Psychologica•2003

  • Biological mechanisms underlying the role of physical fitness in health and resilience

    Open Access•Marni N Silverman, Patricia A Deuster•Interface Focus•2014

  • Regular Physical Activity, Short-Term Exercise, Mental Health, and Well-Being Among University Students

    Open Access•Cornelia Herbert, Friedrich Meixner et al.•Frontiers in Psychology•2020

  • Effects of Physical Exercise on Cognitive Functioning and Wellbeing

    Open Access•Laura Mandolesi, Arianna Polverino et al.•Frontiers in Psychology•2018

  • Green exercise in the UK countryside

    Jules Pretty, J Peacock et al.•Journal of Environmental Planning…•2007

  • Help-Seeking as a Maladaptive Coping Style in the Pandemic Scenario

    Open Access•Luca Simione, Camilla Gnagnarella et al.•International Journal of…•2021

  • Characteristics of Fathers with Depressive Symptoms

    Open Access•David G Rosenthal, Nicole Learned et al.•Maternal and Child Health Journal•2012

  • Associations between different types of physical activity and teachers’ perceived mental, physical, and work-related health

    Open Access•Inge Van Bogaert, Inge Bogaert et al.•BMC Public Health•2014

  • Staying Physically Active Is Associated with Better Mental Health and Sleep Health Outcomes during the Initial Period of Covid-19 Induced Nation-Wide Lockdown in Jordan

    Open Access•Yazan A Al-Ajlouni, Su Hyun Park et al.•International Journal of…•2022

  • Physical Activity Changes and Its Risk Factors among Community-Dwelling Japanese Older Adults during the Covid-19 Epidemic

    Open Access•Yuta Suzuki, Noriaki Maeda et al.•International Journal of…•2020

  • An empirical evaluation of The Resilience Shield model

    Open Access•Lies Notebaert, Hannah Abdul Razak et al.•BMC Psychology•2022

  • Benefits of Regular Table Tennis Practice in Body Composition and Physical Fitness Compared to Physically Active Children Aged 10–11 Years

    Open Access•Francisco Pradas de la Fuente, Ignacio Ara et al.•International Journal of…•2021

  • Assessment of Subjective Well-Being in a Cohort of University Students and Staff Members

    Open Access•Stefano Quarta, A Levante et al.•International Journal of…•2022

  • Association between Intensity Levels of Physical Activity and Glucose Variability among Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

    Open Access•Jason R Jaggers, Kristi M King et al.•International Journal of…•2023

  • Validation of a Lithuanian-Language Version of the Brunel Mood Scale

    Open Access•Peter C Terry, Albertas Skurvydas et al.•International Journal of…•2022

  • Acculturation and Its Effects on Health Risk Behaviors among Myanmar Migrant Workers

    Open Access•Thin Nyein Nyein Aung, Yoshihisa Shirayama et al.•International Journal of…•2020

  • Changes in Psychological and Cognitive Outcomes after Green versus Suburban Walking

    Open Access•Junia N De Brito, Zachary Pope et al.•International Journal of…•2019

  • Affective Responses to Acute Bouts of Aerobic Exercise, Mindfulness Meditation, and Combinations of Exercise and Meditation

    Open Access•Meghan K Edwards, Paul D Loprinzi•Psychological Reports•2018

  • Explanations for female excess psychosomatic symptoms in adolescence

    Open Access•Helen Sweeting, Helen N Sweeting et al.•BMC Public Health•2007

  • Internet-Based Psycho-Physical Exercise Intervention Program in Mild-to-Moderate Depression

    Open Access•Juan Manuel Escudier-Vázquez, M Ruiz-Munoz et al.•International Journal of…•2025

  • Stroll Your Way to Well-Being

    Janet Currie, Janet L Currie et al.•Health Care For Women International•2002

  • The role of intramural combat martial arts in enhancing well-being among international students

    Open Access•Young‐Taek Oh, Young-Taek Oh et al.•Frontiers in Psychiatry•2025

  • Using time use diaries to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior in jail populations

    Open Access•Ricky Camplain, Sara J Shuman et al.•BMC Public Health•2025

  • Health-related quality of life and utility values among patients with anxiety and/or depression in a low-income tertiary care setting

    Open Access•Yared Belete Belay, Cathrine Mihalopoulos et al.•Quality of Life Research•2024

  • The impact of physical activity on mental health in adults

    Open Access•Anna Klukowska, Jakub Rafalski et al.•Humanities & Social Sciences…•2026

  • Secondhand smoke is associated with peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease in non-smokers in a large Taiwanese population study

    Open Access•Pei-Chi Yen, P S Yen et al.•Frontiers in Public Health•2024

  • Urban green spaces and resident health

    Open Access•Yan Bi, Ya Wang et al.•Frontiers in Public Health•2024

  • Effects of aquatic exercises on physical fitness and quality of life in postmenopausal women

    Open Access•Wen-Sheng Zhou, Su-Jie Mao et al.•Frontiers in Public Health•2023

  • Small but Certain Happiness in Daily Life

    Open Access•Kazuhisa Miwa•Journal of Happiness Studies•2025

  • Discovering Psychological Well-Being

    Open Access•Büşra YİĞİT, Bünyamin Yasin Çakmak•Journal of Happiness Studies•2024

  • The effect of Sports-based Physical Activity programme on teachers’ relatedness, stress and exercise motivation

    Open Access•Gi-cheol Kim, Rachel Gurvitch•Health Education Journal•2020

  • Psychological benefits of aerobic, resistance, mind-body exercises, and Hiit for enhancing athlete well-being and performance

    Open Access•Asma Ayaz, Wajid Zaman et al.•Acta Psychologica•2026

  • Dispositional mindfulness and its relationship to exercise motivation and experience

    Open Access•Sarah Lynn, Medha K Satyal et al.•Frontiers in Sports and Active…•2022

  • Building Resilience Through Sport in Young People With Adverse Childhood Experiences

    Open Access•Gareth Norris, Heather Norris•Frontiers in Sports and Active…•2021

  • Race, immigrant status, and inequality in physical activity

    Open Access•Chloe Sher, C Wu•Canadian Review of Sociology/Revue…•2023

  • Soccer matches as a serious leisure activity

    Mehmet Ertaş•World Leisure & Recreation•2022

  • Intrinsic motivation, perception of sport competence, and life-satisfaction of children in a Greek summer sport camp

    Efi Tsitskari, Olga Kouli•World Leisure & Recreation•2010

  • The relationship between dance and well-being

    Parijat Lanke, Papri Nath•World Leisure & Recreation•2023

  • Dogs as a gateway to the good life

    Open Access•Charlie Lea, Yasmin Kirby et al.•Qualitative Research in Psychology•2024

  • A proposed model of lifestyle balance

    Kathleen Matuska, Kathleen M Matuska et al.•Journal of Occupational Science•2008

  • The nature of family influences on sport participation in Masters athletes

    Rylee A Dionigi, Jessica Fraser‐Thomas et al.•Annals of Leisure Research•2012

  • The role of physical activity, body mass index and maturity status in body-related perceptions and self-esteem of adolescents

    Open Access•Atahan Altıntaş, Hülya Aşçı et al.•Annals of Human Biology•2013

  • The Go-VAR (Veterans Active Recovery)

    Sarah Linke, Sarah E Linke et al.•Journal of Psychoactive Drugs•2019

  • Functional neuroanatomy of altered states of consciousness

    Open Access•Alexa Dietrich, Arne Dietrich•Consciousness and Cognition•2003

  • Direct Exposure to Green and Blue Spaces is Associated with Greater Mental Wellbeing in Older Adults

    Open Access•Ewa Jarosz•Journal of Aging and Environment•2022

  • Policy Considerations for Elevating the Capacity of Australian Community Sport Clubs in Building Social Capital and Promoting Social Cohesion in Rural Settings

    Open Access•Charles Mountifield•International Journal of the…•2025

  • If Winter Comes, Can Spring Be Far Behind?”

    Open Access•Brady K Jones, Rebekah Kerr•Ecopsychology•2023

  • Psychosocial wellbeing and physical health among Tamil schoolchildren in northern Sri Lanka

    Open Access•Alexander Hamilton, Charlie Foster et al.•Conflict and Health•2016

  • Healthier but not happier? The lifestyle habits of health influencer followers

    Open Access•Jack Cooper, Jack R Cooper et al.•Cyberpsychology Journal of…•2024

  • Psychological Restoration through Indoor and Outdoor Leisure Activities

    Pei-Yi Weng, Yen-Cheng Chiang•Journal of Leisure Research•2014

  • The Acute Effects of Humor and Exercise on Mood and Anxiety

    Attila Szabó•Journal of Leisure Research•2003

  • The relationship between physical activity and mental health varies across activity intensity levels and dimensions of mental health among women and men

    Open Access•Melinda Asztalos, Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij et al.•Public Health Nutrition•2010

  • The role of exercise during adolescence on adult happiness and mood

    Martin Rasmussen, Karin Laumann•Leisure Studies•2014

  • Emotional eating, depressive symptoms and self-reported food consumption. A population-based study

    Open Access•Hanna Konttinen, Satu Mannisto et al.•Appetite•2010

  • Breakfast consumption and exercise interact to affect cognitive performance and mood later in the day. A randomized controlled trial

    Open Access•Rachel C Veasey, Javier T Gonzalez et al.•Appetite•2013

  • A phenomenographic study of factors leading to variation in the experience of a school-based wilderness experiential programme

    Open Access•Conrad Stanisław Zygmont, Anthony V Naidoo•South African Journal of Psychology•2018

  • Physical Exercise and Psychological Well-Being

    Open Access•Steve Edwards•South African Journal of Psychology•2006

  • Residence in the Social Ecology of Stress and Restoration

    Open Access•Terry Hartig, Gunn Johansson et al.•Journal of Social Issues•2003

  • The Relationship between Physical Exercise and Distress in a National Sample of Canadians

    Open Access•Judith C Martin, Terrance J Wade•Canadian Journal of Public Health•2000

  • Bem-estar psicológico e adolescência

    Open Access•Ricardo Azevedo Da Silva, Bernardo L Horta et al.•Cadernos de Saude Publica•2007

  • Exploring lay views on physical activity and their implications for public health policy. A case study from East Belfast

    Open Access•L Prior, D Scott et al.•Social Science & Medicine•2014

  • Physical Exercise and Psychological Well-being among People with Chronic Illness and Disability

    Open Access•Rodger Graham, John Kremer et al.•Journal of Health Psychology•2008

  • A Biopsychosocial Model of Disordered Eating and the Pursuit of Muscularity in Adolescent Boys

    Lina A Ricciardelli, Matthew P Mccabe•Psychological Bulletin•2004

  • Lettuce be happy

    Open Access•Neel Ocean, Peter Howley et al.•Social Science & Medicine•2019

  • Evaluation of a Prevention Program to Address Body Focus and Negative Affect among Children

    Open Access•Matthew P Mccabe, Marita P Mccabe et al.•Journal of Health Psychology•2006

  • Divergent pathways to influence

    Open Access•Jonathan E Ramsay, Yang Fang et al.•Journal of Health Psychology•2015

  • Personality, Emotional Intelligence and Exercise

    Open Access•Donald H Saklofske, Elizabeth J Austin et al.•Journal of Health Psychology•2007

  • How might creative learning through dance support resilience

    Ralph Buck, Barbara Snook•Journal of Human Behavior in the…•2020

  • Exercise on prescription

    Open Access•J M Hammond, D A Brodie et al.•Health Promotion International•1997

  • Experimental manipulation of aerobic fitness and the response to psychosocial stress

    David Sinyor, M Golden et al.•Psychosomatic Medicine•1986

  • Effects of aerobic exercise training on hemodynamic responses during psychosocial stress in normotensive and borderline hypertensive type A men

    Andrew Sherwood, Kathleen C Light et al.•Psychosomatic Medicine•1989

  • Physique Anxiety and Exercise in Middle-aged Adults

    Edward Mcauley, Susan M Bane et al.•The Journals of Gerontology…•1995

  • Body image and dieting failure in college men and women

    Open Access•Linda J Koenig, Erika L Wasserman•Sex Roles•1995

  • Women's body images

    Open Access•Thomas F Cash, Patricia E Henry•Sex Roles•1995

  • The body-as-object versus the body-as-process

    Open Access•Stephen L Franzoi•Sex Roles•1995

  • Body image as a leisure constraint

    C Jody Frederick, Candice Frederick et al.•Leisure Sciences•1995

  • Physical fitness training and mental health

    Carlyle H Folkins, Wesley E Sime•American Psychologist•1981

Unique citing works95
Citations per year3,65
Citation span2000 - 2026 (27)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 77
Ethnos_APP • Open Source Project • MIT License • Frontend v2.0.0 • Privacy and Cookies • API Documentation: api.ethnos.app/docs • API Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17049435 • Frontend Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17050053 • cruz.rio.br • Expectantes Misericordiae