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)
