Effects of a 12-Week Physical Activity Intervention on Psychological Symptoms in Adolescents

Bibliographic Data

ID15469130
AuthorsMaria Carolina Juvêncio Francisquini (Health Sciences Center, State University of Northern Paraná, Jacarezinho 86400-000, Brazil, corresponding author), Géssika Castilho Dos Santos (0000-0003-1593-4546, Health Sciences Center, State University of Northern Paraná, Jacarezinho 86400-000, Brazil), Thais Maria de Souza Silva (0000-0003-0737-1886, Health Sciences Center, State University of Northern Paraná, Jacarezinho 86400-000, Brazil), Pedro Henrique Garcia Dias (0000-0002-1706-2377, Health Sciences Center, State University of Northern Paraná, Jacarezinho 86400-000, Brazil), Claudinei Ferreira Dos Santos (0000-0001-8741-4051, Health Sciences Center, State University of Northern Paraná, Jacarezinho 86400-000, Brazil), Gabriel Pinzon (0000-0002-7030-9885, Health Sciences Center, State University of Northern Paraná, Jacarezinho 86400-000, Brazil), Aristides M Machado‐rodrigue (0000-0002-7169-8034, University of Coimbra), António Stabelini Neto (0000-0003-2931-943X, Health Sciences Center, State University of Northern Paraná, Jacarezinho 86400-000, Brazil, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume21
Issue12
Pages1558-1558
Publication date2024-11-25
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph21121558
PMID39767400
OpenAlexW4404672027
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited43

Participation in regular physical activity (PA) is associated with numerous health benefits, including improvement in adolescents' mental health. The current study aimed to assess the effects of a 12-week physical activity intervention on psychological symptoms of adolescents. The sample of this controlled randomized study was composed by 150 adolescents aged 12 to 15 years old. PA intervention is an adaptation of the ActTeens Program, which includes structured PA sessions delivered during Physical Education classes. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to measure psychological symptoms. To analyze the effects of the intervention on psychological symptoms, generalized estimating equations (GEEs) models were constructed. After 12 weeks, there were no significant intervention effects for emotional problems (mean difference: -0.14; 95% IC: -1.1-0.82), conduct problems (mean difference: 0.14; 95% IC: -0.6-0.8), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (mean difference: -0.66; 95% IC: -1.4-0.1), peer problems (mean difference: 0.2; 95% IC: -0.6-1.0), prosocial behavior (mean difference: 0.00; 95% IC: -0.8; 0.8) and overall mental health score (mean difference: 0.15; 95% IC: -2.0; 2.3). No improvement in psychological symptoms was observed after 12 weeks of PA intervention. Future studies should explore how PA in different dimensions and contexts may impact positively on adolescents' mental health

Confidence interval · Intervention (counseling · Mean difference · Mental health · Prosocial behavior · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Randomized controlled trial · Significant difference · Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire · Children's Physical and Motor Development · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Physical Activity and Health · Psychology

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