Cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness and mental health in older adolescents: A multi-level cross-sectional analysis

Publication date: Available online 16 January 2020Source: Preventive MedicineAuthor(s): Amy Janssen, Angus Leahy, Thierno M.O. Diallo, Jordan J. Smith, Sarah Kennedy, Narelle Eather, Myrto Mavilidi, Annemarie Wagemakers, Mark J. Babic, David R. LubansAbstractPhysical activity interventions that promote cardiorespiratory (CRF) and muscular fitness (MF) may improve mental health in young adolescents. However, less is known about the links between fitness and mental health in older adolescents, as they are an understudied population. In addition, the association between MF and adolescents' mental health is less clear than it is for CRF. Our primary aim was to investigate whether MF is independently associated with mental health in a sample of older adolescents. Our secondary aim was to determine if the association between fitness and mental health was moderated by sex, socio-economic status (SES) or weight status. Participants were 669 students (16.0 [0.4] years, 44.5% female) from 20 secondary schools in New South Wales, Australia. Mental health (well-being and internalizing problems) was self-reported using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. We assessed CRF using the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run and MF using the push-up and standing long jump tests. After controlling for CRF, MF was not associated with mental health. CRF was associated with well-being (β = 0.20, p < .001) and int...
Source: Preventive Medicine - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research