title: Intensity of physical activity and subjective well-being: an empirical analysis of the WHO recommendations.
abstract: This study examined the effect of different intensities of physical activity and the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the subjective well-being (SWB) of adults in two age groups (18-64; 65+).
  
  
  
  Cross-sectional survey data from 28 European countries were used for the analysis (n = 21 008). Participation intensity was measured with the number of days and minutes of light (walking), moderate and vigorous activity. Another three dummy variables reflected how the WHO guidelines were met. Two-stage least square models were estimated with life satisfaction (measuring SWB) as the dependent variable.
  
  
  
  For 18- to 64-year-olds, walking (minutes and days/week) and vigorous activity (minutes/week) significantly added to SWB, while moderate activity (minutes/week) had a negative effect. Individuals in both age groups meeting the guidelines only for moderate activity and those meeting the guidelines for both moderate and vigorous activity or using a combination of both reported significantly higher well-being levels compared with those not meeting the guidelines.
  
  
  
  Physical activity recommendations aiming at improving individuals' mental health should reconsider the inclusion of light-intensity activity, the interchangeability of moderate and vigorous activity, and the fact that more physical activity does not lead to better outcomes for all intensities and age groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Economics and Sport Management, German Sport University Cologne, Am Sportpark Muengersdorf 6, 50933 Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wicker
authors.affiliation: Department of Management, University of Paderborn, Warburger Strasse 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany.|Castle Seeburg University, Seeburgstrasse 8, 5201 Seekirchen, Austria.
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Frick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D011634:Public Health / Q000592:standards*; D016138:Walking / Q000592:standards*; D014944:World Health Organization
keywords: intensity; mental health; physical activity; public health policy; well-being