A hypothetical model of mental health benefits of exercise and physical activity : The potential mediating role of psycho-social factors

The purpose of this study was to present a hypothetical model for improving and enhancing mental health using exercise and physical activity by investigating the mediating role of psycho-social factors, and to discuss the relationship among constructive concept of this mode1. Two-hundred thirty-four male and 81 female students participated in this study, and completed a questionnaire including Physical Activity Index (Murakami and Hashimoto, 2004), types of exercise participation (Hashimoto, 2004), and Diagnostic Inventory for Mental Health Pattern (Hashimoto and Tokunaga, 1999). In addition, Kikuch’s Social Ski11: KiSS (Kikuchi, 1998) and consciousness of others scale (Tsuji, 2001) were administered to assess psycho-social variables. Results showed that exercise and physical activity were positively related to social skill and consciousness of others, and the strength of this relationship was greater for males compared to females. Unexpectedly, exercise and physical activity did not show a relationship with mental health(stress and QOL). Moreover, there was a trend for social skill to relate positively with mental health, but there was not relationship between consciousness of others and mental health. Thus, results only partially supported the proposed model. These findings are discussed in addition to the need for investigation of other possible mediators