Domain-Specific Physical Activity and Mental Health: A Meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The mental health benefits of physical activity are well established. However, less is known about whether the relationship between physical activity and mental health is consistent across different life domains. It is important to understand how context may influence the relationship between physical activity and mental health so that interventions and policy guidelines can be tailored to maximize positive effects.


METHODS
In 2015, systematic searches of four databases identified 13,435 records, of which 98 studies met the inclusion criteria.


RESULTS
Included studies were published between 1988 and 2015 and had a combined sample size of 648,726. Of the 98 included studies, 93 examined leisure-time physical activity, 14 examined work-related physical activity, 15 examined transport physical activity, 16 examined household physical activity, three examined school sport, and three examined physical education. Multi-level meta-analyses showed that leisure-time physical activity (r =0.13) and transport physical activity (r =0.13) both had a positive association with mental health. Leisure-time physical activity (r = -0.11) and school sport (r = -0.09) both had an inverse association with mental ill-health. However, physical activity was not consistently associated with lower mental ill-health across domains, as work-related physical activity was positively associated with mental ill-health (r =0.09). Household physical activity and participation in physical education had no relationship with mental health or mental ill-health.


CONCLUSIONS
The domain in which physical activity occurs influences the relationship between physical activity and mental health and should, therefore, be considered when developing interventions, treatment programs, and policy guidelines.
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, New South Wales, Australia.
Rhiannon Lee
RL
White
Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
Mark J
MJ
Babic
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, New South Wales, Australia.
Philip D
PD
Parker
Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
David R
DR
Lubans
Population Wellbeing and Environment Research Lab (PowerLab), School of Health and Society, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia; Early Start Research Institute, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
Thomas
T
Astell-Burt
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: chris.lonsdale@acu.edu.au.
Chris
C
Lonsdale
D003256:Community Participation; D004777:Environment; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006285:Health Planning; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000639:trends*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D014481:United States