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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)

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