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Impact of Physical Activity on Mental Health
Several recent reviews have concluded that physical activity has a posi-
tive effect on mental health and emotional well-being for both adults and 
children (Peluso and Guerra de Andrade, 2005; Penedo and Dahn, 2005; 

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Educating the Student Body: Taking Physical Activity and Physical Education to School
Relationship to Growth, Development, and Health
 
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Strong et al., 2005; Hallal et al., 2006; Ahn and Fedewa, 2011; Biddle and 
Asare, 2011). Numerous observational studies have established the asso-
ciation between physical activity and mental health but are inadequate to 
clarify the direction of that association (Strong et al., 2005). It may be that 
physical activity improves mental health, or it may be that people are more 
physically active when they are mentally healthy. Most likely the relation-
ship is bidirectional. 
Several longitudinal and intervention studies have clarified that physi-
cal activity positively impacts mental health (Penedo and Dahn, 2005; 
Strong et al., 2005). Physical activity has most often been shown to reduce 
symptoms of depression and anxiety and improve mood (Penedo and 
Dahn, 2005; Dishman et al., 2006; Biddle and Asare, 2011). In addition to 
reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, studies indicate that regular 
physical activity may help prevent the onset of these conditions (Penedo 
and Dahn, 2005). Reductions in depression and anxiety are the commonly 
measured outcomes (Strong et al., 2005; Ahn and Fedewa, 2011). However, 
reductions in states of confusion, anger, tension, stress, anxiety sensitivity 
(a precursor to panic attacks and panic disorders), posttraumatic stress 
disorder/psychological distress, emotional disturbance, and negative affect 
have been observed, as well as increases in positive expectations; fewer 
emotional barriers; general well-being; satisfaction with personal appear-
ance; and improved life satisfaction, self-worth, and quality of life (Heller 
et al., 2004; Peluso and Guerra de Andrade, 2005; Penedo and Dahn, 2005; 
Dishman et al., 2006; Hallal et al., 2006; Ahn and Fedewa, 2011; Biddle 
and Asare, 2011). Among adolescents and young adult females, exercise 
has been found to be more effective than cognitive-behavioral therapy in 
reducing the pursuit of thinness and the frequency of bingeing, purging, 
and laxative abuse (Sundgot-Borgen et al., 2002; Hallal et al., 2006). The 
favorable effects of physical activity on sleep may also contribute to mental 
health (Dishman et al., 2006).
The impact of physical activity on these measures of mental health is 
moderate, with effect sizes generally ranging from 0.4 to 0.7 (Biddle and 
Asare, 2011). In one meta-analysis of intervention trials, the RCTs had an 
effect size of 0.3, whereas other trials had an effect size of 0.57.