The roles of exercise tolerance and resilience in the effect of physical activity on emotional states among college students

• Zhihao Zhang ^[1] ; Ting Wang ^[1] ; Jin Kuang ^[1] ; Fabian Herold ^[2] ; Sebastian Ludyga ^[3] ; Jingming Li ^[1] ; Daniel L Hall ^[5] ; Alyx Taylor ^[6] ; Sean Healy ^[4] ; Albert S Yeung ^[7] ; Arthur F. Kramer ^[7] ; Liye Zou ^[1]
  1. [1] Shenzhen University

     Shenzhen University

     China

     
  2. [2] University of Potsdam

     University of Potsdam

     Kreisfreie Stadt Potsdam, Alemania

     
  3. [3] University of Basel

     University of Basel

     Basilea, Suiza

     
  4. [4] Dublin City University

     Dublin City University

     Irlanda

     
  5. [5] Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston
  6. [6] School of Rehabilitation, Sport and Psychology, AECC University College, United Kingdom
  7. [7] Center for Cognitive & Brain Health, Northeastern University, Boston

  Mostrar afiliaciones +
• Localización: International journal of clinical and health psychology, ISSN 1697-2600, Vol. 22, Nº. 3, 2022, págs. 61-70
• Idioma: inglés
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • Background/objective Negative emotional states, such as depression, anxiety, and stress challenge health care due to their long-term consequences for mental disorders. Accumulating evidence indicates that regular physical activity (PA) can positively influence negative emotional states. Among possible candidates, resilience and exercise tolerance in particular have the potential to partly explain the positive effects of PA on negative emotional states. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between PA and negative emotional states, and further determine the mediating effects of exercise tolerance and resilience in such a relationship.

    Method In total, 1117 Chinese college students (50.4% female, Mage=18.90, SD=1.25) completed a psychosocial battery, including the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), the Preference for and Tolerance of the Intensity of Exercise Questionnaire (PRETIE-Q), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF). Regression analysis was used to identify the serial multiple mediation, controlling for gender, age and BMI.

    Results PA, exercise intensity-tolerance, and resilience were significantly negatively correlated with negative emotional states (Ps<.05). Further, exercise tolerance and resilience partially mediated the relationship between PA and negative emotional states.

    Conclusions Resilience and exercise intensity-tolerance can be achieved through regularly engaging in PA, and these newly observed variables play critical roles in prevention of mental illnesses, especially college students who face various challenges. Recommended amount of PA should be incorporated into curriculum or sport clubs within a campus environment.