Traditional physical exercise and depression in older adults
The mediating role of interoceptive awareness and the moderating effect of perceived stress
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22073373 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Yafei Zheng (Chengdu Sport University), Yuanzheng Lin (Chengdu Sport University, corresponding author), Qiuhong Zheng (Chongqing College of Mobile Communication) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Pages | 1766902-1766902 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-05 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1766902 |
| PMID | 41869607 |
| OpenAlex | W7133618553 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 48 |
Objective: This study examined the associations between traditional physical exercise and depressive symptoms among older adults, with particular attention to the mediating role of interoceptive awareness and the moderating effect of perceived stress. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 337 older adults who regularly participated in traditional physical exercise. Measures included the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3), the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA-2), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Confirmatory factor analysis and model fit indices were examined using AMOS. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted using SPSS, with bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals based on 5,000 resamples. Results: Traditional physical exercise showed a significant association with lower depressive symptoms. Interoceptive awareness partially explained this association, suggesting that greater awareness of internal bodily states may represent one pathway linking exercise participation and mental health. Perceived stress moderated the relationship between traditional physical exercise and interoceptive awareness, with higher stress levels attenuating this association. Conclusion: Traditional physical exercise was associated with lower depressive symptoms, and this association was partly accounted for by interoceptive awareness. In addition, perceived stress moderated the strength of the exercise-interoceptive awareness association
Confirmatory factor analysis · Mediation · Moderated mediation · Moderation · Perceived Stress Scale · Physical activity · Physical exercise · Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs · Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments · Traumatic Brain Injury Research
The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (Maia)
A diagnostic meta-analysis of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) algorithm scoring method as a screen for depression
A Stage Model of Stress and Disease
Screening for depression in primary care with Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
The Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Version 2 (Maia-2)
Cutoff criteria for fit indexes in covariance structure analysis
Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error
The PHQ-9
Effects of tai chi, ba duan jin, and walking on the mental health status of urban older people living alone
The impact of mind–body exercise on the quality of life in older adults
The effects of different types of Tai Chi exercise on anxiety and depression in older adults
Relationship between community physical activity levels, social capital, intergenerational support, and subjective well-being among older adults in China
Examining the Factor Structure and Validity of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness
Measuring higher education students’ perceived stress
Does mindfulness matter on employee outcomes? Exploring its effects via perceived stress
A theoretical model of sports and health integration to promote active health
Effects of Tai Chi and Qigong on physical function and psychiatric symptoms among individuals with mental illness
Leisure, eudaimonic behavior, physical activity and well-being of older adults
How mindfulness training promotes positive emotions
A Global Measure of Perceived Stress
The Relationship Between Perceived Stress and Adolescent Depression
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |