Journal article
Domain-specific physical activity and mental health: an updated systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis in a combined sample of 3.3 million people
British journal of sports medicine, Vol.First online
03/09/2025
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Objective: To update, synthesise and provide meta-analytical evidence of the associations between domain-specific physical activity (PA) and mental health and mental ill-health outcomes.
Design: Systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis.
Data sources: In March 2024, we systematically searched five databases.
Eligibility criteria: Methods employed replicated those of a previous review in 2017. All studies examining associations between domain-specific PA and specified mental health outcomes were included.
Results: 372 studies met inclusion criteria and 361 were included in the meta-analysis. Across the 372 studies (combined sample size of 3 323 711), 338 examined leisure-time PA, 54 work-related PA, 72 transport-related PA, 44 household PA, 5 school sport and 8 physical education. Multilevel meta-analyses showed that leisure-time PA (r=0.205, 95% CI 0.157 to 0.253), transport-related PA (r=0.138, 95% CI 0.042 to 0.231) and household PA (r=0.096, 95% CI 0.025 to 0.165) were positively associated with mental health. Leisure-time PA (r=−0.149, 95% CI −0.189 to –0.11) and school sport (r=−0.096, 95% CI −0.115 to –0.077) were inversely associated with mental ill health. However, work-related PA (r=0.134 95% CI 0.069 to 0.199) was positively associated with mental ill health.
Conclusion: The direction of the association between PA and mental health/mental ill health is dependent on the domain in which PA occurs. Promoting PA for leisure purposes is likely to yield the greatest benefits for both promoting mental health and preventing mental ill health. As such, leisure-time PA should be prioritised in messaging, guidelines and interventions/programmes designed to support mental health through PA.
PROSPERO registration numberCRD42024510303.
Details
- Title
- Domain-specific physical activity and mental health: an updated systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis in a combined sample of 3.3 million people
- Creators
- Megan Teychenne - Deakin University (Australia, Geelong)Geovan M Sousa - Deakin University (Australia, Geelong)Thea Baker - Deakin University (Australia, Geelong)Caitlin Liddelow - University of WollongongMark Babic - University of Newcastle AustraliaAiden J Chauntry - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillMadeleine France-Ratcliffe - Liverpool John Moores UniversityJustin Guagliano - Western Sydney UniversityHannah E Christie - Mayo ClinicElla M Tremaine - Australian Catholic UniversityBridget Booker - Australian Catholic UniversityDavide Gargioli - Southern Cross UniversityDaniel J Bannell - Liverpool John Moores UniversityRan Bao - University of Newcastle AustraliaCristy Brooks - Western Sydney UniversityDavid R Lubans - University of Newcastle AustraliaChristian Swann - Southern Cross UniversityStewart A Vella - University of WollongongChris Lonsdale - Australian Catholic UniversityAlexandre Bergamo dos Santos - Deakin UniversityRhiannon L White - Western Sydney University
- Publication Details
- British journal of sports medicine, Vol.First online
- Publisher
- BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
- Grant note
- National Health and Medical Research Council Emerging Leadership Fellowship: APP1195335 CAPES: 88887.892816/2023- 00 National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health: R01HL162805 Australian Government Department of Education through the Regional Research Collaboration Scheme
MT is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Emerging Leadership Fellowship (APP1195335). GMdS is supported by CAPES (Proc 88887.892816/2023- 00). AJC is supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (award number R01HL162805). The Manna Institute is supported by the Australian Government Department of Education through the Regional Research Collaboration Scheme.
- Identifiers
- 991013310218602368
- Copyright
- © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2025.
- Academic Unit
- Human Sciences; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article