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. 2012 Jul;4(2):127-50.
doi: 10.1111/j.1758-0854.2012.01065.x. Epub 2012 Feb 22.

Health-Enhancing Physical Activity: Associations with Markers of Well-Being

Diane E Mack  1 , Philip M Wilson  1 , Katie E Gunnell  1 , Jenna D Gilchrist  1 , Kent C Kowalski  1 , Peter R E Crocker  1
Affiliations

Health-Enhancing Physical Activity: Associations with Markers of Well-Being

Diane E Mack et al. Appl Psychol Health Well Being. 2012 Jul.

Abstract

Background: The association between health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) and well-being was investigated across a cross-sectional (Study 1; N=243) and a longitudinal, two-wave (Study 2; N=198) design. Study 2 further examined the role played by fulfilling basic psychological needs in terms of understanding the mechanisms via which HEPA is associated with well-being.

Methods: Women enrolled in undergraduate courses were surveyed.

Results: In general, greater HEPA was associated with greater well-being (Study 1; rs ranged from .03 to .25). Change score analyses revealed that increased HEPA positively predicted well-being (Study 2; R(2) adj=0.03 to 0.15) with psychological need fulfilment underpinning this relationship.

Conclusions: Collectively these findings indicate that increased engagement in health-enhancing physical activity represents one factor associated with greater well-being. Continued investigation of basic psychological need fulfilment as one mechanism underpinning the HEPA-well-being relationship appears justified.

Keywords: health-enhancing physical activity; self-determination theory; well-being.

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