title: Prospective Relationships Between Physical Activity and Optimism in Young and Mid-aged Women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is growing evidence that regular physical activity (PA) reduces the risk of poor mental health. Less research has focused on the relationship between PA and positive wellbeing. The study aims were to assess the prospective associations between PA and optimism, in both young and mid-aged women.
  
  
  METHODS
  9688 young women (born 1973-1978) completed self-report surveys in 2000 (age 22 to 27), 2003, 2006, and 2009; and 11,226 mid-aged women (born 1946-1951) completed surveys in 2001 (age 50-55) 2004, 2007, and 2010, as part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Generalized estimating equation models (with 3-year time lag) were used to examine the relationship between PA and optimism in both cohorts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both cohorts, women reporting higher levels of PA had greater odds of reporting higher optimism over the 9-year period, (young, OR = 5.04, 95% CI: 3.85-6.59; mid-age, OR = 5.77, 95% CI: 4.76-7.00) than women who reported no PA. Odds were attenuated in adjusted models, with depression accounting for a large amount of this attenuation (young, OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.57-2.55; mid-age, OR = 1.64 95% CI: 1.38-1.94).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physical activity can promote optimism in young and mid-aged women over time, even after accounting for the negative effects of other psychosocial indicators such as depression.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Exercise, Physical Activity, and Health (CRExPAH), School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
authors.forename: Toby G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Pavey
authors.forename: Nicola W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: Wendy J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D000067656:Optimism / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult