Exercise linked to better mental health in study of students

Young adults who regularly take part in moderate physical activity are less likely to suffer depression or anxiety, suggests the Norwegian study.

The research team said infrequent exercise is associated with a higher prevalence of common mental disorders — such as depression and anxiety — among higher-education students.

But they say their findings, published in the journal PLOS One, highlight the potential value of consistent physical activity rather than intense, prolonged exercise sessions.

Study leader author Michael Grasdalsmoen said the transition to higher education is a particularly vulnerable period for young adults, underscoring the importance of identifying protective factors during that developmental stage.

He said relatively few previous studies had looked at potential links between physical exercise levels and the later development of common mental disorders.

Grasdalsmoen and his colleagues at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Haugesund, examined associations between physical activity and subsequent anxiety and depression.

The participants included in the final analysis were 10,460 full-time, higher-education Norwegian students, aged 18 to 35.

They completed questionnaires that assessed exercise frequency, intensity, duration and total weekly hours, in addition to a self-administered diagnostic instrument one year later.

The results revealed that lower levels of physical exercise were associated with a higher risk of clinically defined common mental disorders one year later.

In particular, associations were more consistent for exercise frequency compared with intensity or duration.

Low exercise intensity predicted anxiety and depression among women, whereas shorter weekly exercise duration was a stronger risk factor among men.

The probability of common mental disorders declined as the total amount of exercise increased, up to about 10 hours per week.

The study also provided support for meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week.

Grasdalsmoen said: "Our findings show that students who engage in regular physical exercise are at lower risk of developing common mental disorders over time.

"Overall, the findings suggest that consistent engagement in exercise, rather than intensity or duration, may be particularly important for curbing anxiety and depression among higher-education students."

He says that, despite it only being an observational study, encouraging regular exercise may represent a "beneficial component" of broader strategies to support student mental health, especially for individuals with emerging symptoms.

Grasdalsmoen added: "These findings highlight the importance of making physical activity an accessible and natural part of student life.

"Mental health among students is a growing public health concern.

"Our findings suggest that supporting students to be physically active may contribute to better mental health and should be recognized as an important part of a healthy learning environment."