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 .
Social relations, physical activity, and well-being in older adults.
BACKGROUND A r and omized controlled trial was conducted to examine : ( a ) the effect of two physical activity modes on changes in subjective well-being ( SWB ) over the course of a 12-month period in older , formerly sedentary adults ( N = 174 , M age = 65.5 years ) and ( b ) the role played by physical activity participation and social support in changes in SWB over time . METHOD Participants were r and omized into either an aerobic activity group or a stretching and toning group . Structural equation modeling was employed to conduct multiple sample latent growth curve analyses of individual growth in measures of SWB ( happiness , satisfaction with life , and loneliness ) over time . RESULTS A curvilinear growth pattern was revealed with well-being significantly improving over the course of the intervention followed by significant declines at the 6-month follow-up . Subsequent structural analyses were conducted showing that frequency of exercise participation was a significant predictor of improvement in satisfaction with life , whereas social relations were related to increases in satisfaction with life and reductions in loneliness . Improvements in social relations and exercise frequency also helped to buffer the declines in satisfaction with life at follow-up . CONCLUSIONS It appears that social relations integral to the exercise environment are significant determinants of subjective well-being in older adults . Findings are discussed in terms of how physical activity environments might be structured to maximize improvements in more global well-being constructs such as satisfaction with life
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 .