AUTHOR=Zhang Xiaohui , Jiang Chujuan , Zhang Xiaocong , Chi Xinli 

TITLE=Muscle-strengthening exercise and positive mental health in children and adolescents: An urban survey study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.933877

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2022.933877

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=Background: Much evidence has indicated that physical activity is associated with mental health benefits, such as fewer depression symptoms. Yet, there are few studies examining the association between muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE) with mental health outcomes, especially positive outcomes (e.g., subjective wellbeing). The study aimed to test the association between MSE with subjective wellbeing and resilience among a large sample of Chinese adolescents. 

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among primary and middle school students in Shenzhen, China. MSE frequency, subjective wellbeing, and resilience were measured. Data from a total of 67,281 adolescents aged 10-17 years (51.9% males and 48.1% females) were included in the analysis. Mixed effect models were performed to assess how weekly MSE frequency (0-7days) related to the levels of subjective wellbeing and resilience, adjusting for potential confounding variables (e.g., sex, grade). Sensitivity analyses were also conducted.

Results: Compared to participants with no MSE, the levels of subjective wellbeing were higher in those with higher MSE frequencies (range of β: 0.29 [1 day per week] to 1.98 [7 days per week]). The frequency of MSE was also positively correlated to better resilience (range of β: 0.50 [1 day per week] to 4.40 [7 days per week]). All associations remained significant in sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions: More frequent MSE was associated with superior subjective well-being and resilience of Chinese adolescents. Increasing MSE may be beneficial for promoting positive mental health outcomes among adolescents.