While many studies have highlighted the benefits of sport on depression, the results of a study published in the medical journal Journal of Happiness Studies claim that physical activity would also be beneficial for satisfaction.
Researchers at the University of Michigan conducted a meta-analysis of 23 studies on happiness and physical activity to understand which aspects of physical activity were associated with happiness and which populations were likely to benefit from the effects.
The studies included information on the health of adults, the elderly, adolescents, children and survivors of the Cancer from several countries.
The results of the study showed whether people who were not active enough were still more likely (+ 20%) to be happy than those who did not exercise at all. This figure increased to reach + 29% in sufficiently active participants and peaked at + 52% in very active volunteers.
Scientists have also observed that there is a threshold to improve his well-being. Indeed, a number of studies have found that satisfaction levels are the same whether one is active between 150 and 300 minutes per week or more than 300 minutes per week.
Positive effects on all age groups
The benefits of sport for different age groups. But, increasing her physical activity would be effective in helping women face a ovarian cancer, children and adolescents with cerebral palsy, as well as drug addicts.
“Our results suggest that frequency of physical activity and volume are critical factors in the relationship between physical activity and happiness,” said Weiyun Chen, associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Michigan. “More importantly, even a small change in physical activity makes a difference in happiness.”
Read also :
6 exercises to cultivate the positive in your day
5 positive psychology tips to be happier
Tidy up, sort, throw away … It frees the mind!
