Social support facilitates physical activity by reducing pain.

Conclusions One pathway through which social support impacts physical activity is by reducing peoples' pain. Increasing and strengthening peoples' social support networks may confer benefits for their physical activity levels, including among those whose physical activity is limited by pain. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? Social support can have a positive effect on health behaviours, including physical activity. There is somewhat inconsistent evidence for a positive direct relationship between social support and physical activity. Pain can be a barrier to physical activity, but may be attenuated by social support. What does this study add? Social support affected physical activity indirectly by reducing peoples' pain. This was true for both the general population and a subsample with a chronic pain condition. Improving peoples' social support networks may confer benefits for their physical activity. PMID: 32369263 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: British Journal of Health Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Br J Health Psychol Source Type: research