Abstract
A cross-sectional study design was used to examine associations between frequency of physical activity and participation in sports with mental wellbeing, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Surveys were completed in post-primary schools by 5,661 adolescents from the Republic of Ireland. Validated instruments were used to assess frequency of physical activity, participation in sports, mental wellbeing (WEMWS), depressive symptoms (BDI) and anxiety (BAI). A minority of the sample (11.5% of males and 5.3% of females) were found to meet WHO’s physical activity guidelines (60 minutes or more each day). Frequency of activity were found to decline with age. Frequency of activity was positively associated with wellbeing and negatively associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Males had higher levels of wellbeing and lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms across all sub-groups. Adolescents who engaged in sports were found to have higher levels of wellbeing and lower symptoms of anxiety and depression with team sport conferring an additional benefit. Future physical activity recommendations for children and adolescents should include mental as well as physical health benefits.
Highlights
It is important to participate regularly in physical activity to improve the likelihood of living a healthy life
We found that physical activity levels reduced as adolescents progressed through school with the largest reduction from 2nd to 3rd year (14–15 years old) in females and from 3rd year to 4th year in males (15–16 years old) which is consistent with previous investigations of reductions in physical activity levels (Kimm et al, 2000; O’Donovan et al, 2010)
Our findings suggest that team sport confers significant mental health benefits for males and females, regardless of frequency of activity
Summary
It is important to participate regularly in physical activity to improve the likelihood of living a healthy life. To assist people living a healthy life, there are specific physical activity guidelines (Hallal et al, 2006). Children and adolescents aged 5–17 years should accumulate 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) each day according to international recommendations (World Health Organisation, 2010). It has been reported that up to 80% of younger adolescents (13–15 years) do not meet the recommendations (Hallal et al, 2012), while only 13% of European adolescents (McMahon et al, 2017), and 10% of Irish adolescents meet the recommendations (Woods et al, 2019). Physical activity levels have decreased with age across adolescence, with females reporting significantly lower engagement in physical activity than their male counterparts in the majority of countries (Currie et al, 2009)
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