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(Photo by H\u00e1\u00bb\u0093ng Quang Official via Pexels)<\/p>\n
By Stephen Beech<\/p>\n
Exerci<\/a>s<\/a>e<\/a> is linked to better mental as well as physical health for students, according to new research.<\/p>\n Young adults who regularly take part in moderate physical activity are less likely to suffer depression or anxiety, suggests the Norwegian study.<\/p>\n The research team said infrequent exercise is associated with a higher prevalence of common mental disorders \u2014 such as depression and anxiety \u2014 among higher-education students<\/a>.<\/p>\n But they say their findings, published in the journal PLOS One<\/a>, highlight the potential value of consistent physical activity rather than intense, prolonged exercise sessions.<\/p>\n Study leader author Michael Grasdalsmoen said the transition to higher education is a particularly vulnerable period for young adults, underscoring the importance of identifying protective factors during that developmental stage<\/a>.<\/p>\n (Photo by Cara Denison via Pexels)<\/p>\n By Talker<\/p>\n He said relatively few previous studies had looked at potential links between physical exercise levels and the later development of common mental disorders.<\/p>\n Grasdalsmoen and his colleagues at Western Norway University of Applied Sciences<\/a>, Haugesund, examined associations between physical activity and subsequent anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n The participants included in the final analysis were 10,460 full-time, higher-education Norwegian students, aged 18 to 35.<\/p>\n They completed questionnaires that assessed exercise frequency, intensity, duration and total weekly hours, in addition to a self-administered diagnostic instrument one year later.<\/p>\n (Photo by MART PRODUCTION via Pexels)<\/p>\n By Talker<\/p>\n The results revealed that lower levels of physical exercise were associated with a higher risk of clinically defined common mental disorders one year later.<\/p>\n In particular, associations were more consistent for exercise frequency compared with intensity or duration.<\/p>\n Low exercise intensity predicted anxiety and depression among women, whereas shorter weekly exercise duration was a stronger risk factor among men.<\/p>\n The probability of common mental disorders declined as the total amount of exercise increased, up to about 10 hours per week.<\/p>\n The study also provided support for meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity<\/a> per week.<\/p>\n (Photo by Yan Krukau via Pexels)<\/p>\n By Talker<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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