Abstract
College students often report high levels of stress and anxiety, which can negatively impact academic performance and overall well-being. Physical activity (PA) is widely recognized for its mental health benefits; however, PA encompasses various domains. Subtypes such as Leisure-Time Physical Activity (LTPA), Occupational Physical Activity (OPA), Transportation Physical Activity (TPA), and Domestic Physical Activity (DPA) may not yield the same psychological outcomes. Understanding how specific PA domains relate to mental health may offer insight into how daily routines influence psychological well-being in urban college students. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine whether distinct types of PA are differentially associated with anxiety, stress, and cognitive function in sedentary urban college students. METHODS: Data were collected from baseline assessments for a 10-week intervention studying the effects of peer-led resistance and aerobic training on psychological health. Prior to the intervention, 55 sedentary students (mean age = 20.7 ± 2.6 years) completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and self-reported psychological assessments using the NIH Toolbox and PROMIS scales. Pearson correlation analyses examined relationships between PA types, anxiety, stress, and cognitive function. RESULTS: Cognitive function was strongly negatively correlated with anxiety (r = -0.62; p < 0.05) and perceived stress (r = -0.59; p < 0.05). TPA energy expenditure predicted lower cognitive function (r = -0.29; p < 0.05) and higher stress (r = 0.27; p < 0.05). DPA (MET-minutes) was positively correlated with stress (p < 0.05), but not with cognitive function or anxiety (p > 0.05). LTPA and TPA energy expenditure were significantly correlated (r = 0.41; p < 0.05). LTPA MET-minutes were positively correlated with anxiety (r = 0.49; p < 0.05) and negatively with cognitive function (r = -0.31; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that different PA domains are uniquely associated with anxiety, stress, and cognitive function, highlighting the importance of contextual factors in the relationship between PA and mental health.
Recommended Citation
Charris, Rosselyn A.; Ilori, Bray; and Werber-Zion, Galila
(2025)
"Differential Associations Between Physical Activity Subtypes and Psychological Health in Sedentary Urban College Students,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 15:
Iss.
7, Article 29.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol15/iss7/29