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 moderate exercise training on psychological well-being and mood state in women.
The relationship between moderate exercise training ( five 45 min sessions/week , brisk walking at 62 beta + /- 2 % VO2max for 15 weeks , psychological well-being and mood state was investigated in a group of 35 sedentary , mildly obese women . A 2 ( exercise ( EX ) ( N = 18 ) , and nonexercise ( NEX ) ( N = 17 ) groups ) x 3 ( baseline , 6-week , 15-week testing sessions ) factorial design was used with data analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA . Four psychological tests were administered : Daily Hassles Scale ( DHS ) , General Well-being Schedule ( GWB ) , Spielberger State Anxiety Inventory ( S-Anxiety ) , and Profile of Mood States ( POMS ) . The EX and NEX groups had significantly different patterns of change over time for GWB total scores [ F(2,66 ) = 5.72 , p = 0.005 ] and the GWB subscales ' energy level ' and ' freedom from health concern or worry ' . Scores for the EX group were elevated at both 6 and 15 weeks . General well-being total scores and subscale ' energy level ' scores were significantly correlated with improvement in submaximal cardiorespiratory fitness ( r = -0.41 , p = 0.014 ; r = -0.40 , p = 0.017 , respectively ) . Exercise training also had a significant effect on frequency but not intensity of DHS scores , and S-Anxiety , with a significant decrease seen in the EX group at 6 weeks but not 15 weeks . Profile of Mood States scores were not significantly related to exercise training . These data support the results of other studies that have reported improvement in general psychological well-being with exercise training
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 .