Physical activity and psychological well-being – rio maior participants profile in the exercise and health program

Abstract

Nowadays several scientific evidences tell us that the regular physical activity has unquestionable benefits for physical and psychological health, and that causes a significant impact in general well-being into people of all ages. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and establish a psychological profile of the adherence to exercise and health programs, based in the following variables: motivation, mood states, depression, anxiety and stress. For such, we studied a sample of 70 individuals, of both genders (67 females and 3 males), with 36.90±15.4 years old of mean age (between 17 and the 71). All of them are participants of the five sport centers that compose the exercise and health programme “More Sport, More Health”, of Rio Maior town council. The measurement instruments were the following: EMI-2 (Exercise Motivations Inventory); POMS (Profile of Mood States); DASS (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales). Results show that the main reason to engage individuals in this kind of programs are health related factors. In other words, individuals present a profile that seeks physical activity to be healthy (e.g. Being Healthy 4.48±0.61 and Revitalization 4.31±0.64), because that gives sensations of vigor-activity (i.e. physical or mental strength). This feeling reflects the higher value of positive mood states (e.g. vigor 2.28±0.87), also the lower values of depression (0.47±0.61), anxiety (0.49±0.58) and stress (0.81±0.62).