Details

Research: Move to improve! The link between physical activity and mental health

University students are increasingly grappling with mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression, often exacerbated by academic pressures and lifestyle changes. This research recognises the potential of physical activity as a mitigating factor and found a strong link between higher physical activity levels and improved mental health outcomes – including lower levels of anxiety/depression, and enhanced emotional wellbeing. The more students engaged in movement, the better they felt overall, with notable improvements in mood, behavioural control, and resilience. These findings add to a growing body of evidence supporting the role of physical activity in safeguarding student wellbeing. Embedding physical activity into campus culture, through inclusive programs, supportive infrastructure, and health-focused initiatives, presents a scalable and cost-effective strategy to enhance mental health outcomes and academic performance across the student population.

Citation: Mohammad, A., Turki, A., Investigation of the relationship between mental health and physical activity among university students. Frontiers in Psychology, Volume 15, 2025. (link)

More Articles in Healthy Campus Projects

Research: University Executive Perspectives on Student Health and Wellbeing

This research was conducted as a national study exploring how Australian universities translate health and wellbeing policies into practical action. While most institutions endorse the importance of student wellbeing, there is limited understanding of how these commitments are implemented across whole-of-university systems. This research targeted Deputy Vice-Chancellors (Academic) as participants, recognising their central role within […]

Research: How Well Do University Policies Cover Mental Health?

Universities play a crucial role in supporting student mental health, however, national consistency in strategy and policy remains limited. This research reviewed 39 Australian universities to assess how well their mental health policies align with Orygen’s Australian University Mental Health Framework, which sets six principles for creating mentally healthy campus environments. These principles emphasise student-informed […]

FISU Healthy Campus Program Signatories

Keep up to date

Interested in Healthy Campus Content? Sign up to our exclusive mailer.

Join the community

Stay up to date with Healthy Campus news from Australia and around the world.
UniSport acknowledges and pays respect to all traditional custodians of the lands of which we run, jump and throw throughout Australia. We pay respect to elders both past, present and emerging.
Copyright © 2025 UniSport. All Rights Reserved.