Evidence for anxiety , psychological stress , psychological well-being , subjective well-being and social isolation and loneliness varied in volume and effectiveness , but no harmful effects were identified .
The setting and context of walking seems to be important variables .
Background / objectives Walking has well-established positive relationships with , and effects on , physical health .
In contrast , while poor mental health contributes substantially to global health burden , an overview of the benefits from walking has not previously been published .
We aim ed to scope the literature and present what is known , and highlight what is not known , about walking and mental health .
The effects of a pedometer-based intervention on first-year university students: A randomized control trial
ABSTRACT Objectives : To assess the effects of a 12-week pedometer-based intervention on the physical activity behavior , health-related quality of life ( HRQOL ) , and psychological well-being of first-year university students . Participants : First-year university students ( N = 184 ) were recruited during September 2012 and r and omly assigned to an intervention or a control group . Methods : Intervention participants were provided with a pedometer , monthly tracking logs , and follow-up e-mails . Control participants received no intervention .  Physical activity , HRQOL , and psychological well-being were measured at baseline and post intervention . Data were analyzed using multivariate/univariate analysis of variance ( MANOVA/ANOVA ) . Results : All participants experienced an increase in mild physical activity ( p < .01 ) from baseline to follow-up . The intervention failed to produce significant differences between groups for physical activity ( p = .28 ) , HRQOL ( p = .80 ) , or psychological well-being ( p = .72 ) . Psychological well-being ( p < .001 ) , vigorous physical activity ( p = .04 ) , and mental health status ( p < .001 ) decreased across the duration of the study . Conclusions : More intensive interventions may be required to elicit physical activity behavior change
Evidence for anxiety , psychological stress , psychological well-being , subjective well-being and social isolation and loneliness varied in volume and effectiveness , but no harmful effects were identified .
The setting and context of walking seems to be important variables .
Background / objectives Walking has well-established positive relationships with , and effects on , physical health .
In contrast , while poor mental health contributes substantially to global health burden , an overview of the benefits from walking has not previously been published .
We aim ed to scope the literature and present what is known , and highlight what is not known , about walking and mental health .