Physical Exercise and Psychological Well-Being

Abstract

This study was contextualised within a public health model of mental health promotion, with psychological well-being conceptualised as the positive component of mental health and physical exercise conceptualised as a subset of physical activities aimed at improving health and well-being. The research investigated the relationship between regular physical exercise over a period of two to six months and psychological well-being in 26 exercisers at health clubs in the Richards Bay area of South Africa. Psychological well-being was measured by a Well-being Profile, composed of well-being components of mood, lifestyle, satisfaction with life, sense of coherence, fortitude, stress management, coping and total well-being score. Regular exercise was defined as meeting the criterion of exercising for an average of 30 minutes a day at least three times a week. The main findings were that regular exercise was associated with significant improvements in total well-being score and especially in the well-being components of mood, sense of coherence, fortitude, stress and coping. These findings are discussed in terms of their significance for the promotion of public health in general and mental health in particular.