Effect of Physical Activity on Mood

Abstract

Background: Physical activity is increasingly recognized for its mental health benefits, yet its influence on mood among medical students, a population vulnerable to psychological stress, is underexplored. Prior evidence suggests exercise can alleviate negative mood states, but specific effects in young adults within rigorous academic settings remain unclear. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between physical activity and mood states in medical students at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, examining whether regular exercise correlates with reduced negative emotions and enhanced positive effects. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2017 to 2019 involving 327 medical students aged 16-27 years, recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected via a self-administered questionnaire assessing demographics, physical activity habits, and mood using the Brunel Mood Scale. Participants were classified as physically active if they engaged in exercise ≥20 minutes at least twice weekly. Statistical analyses included t-tests and multivariable regression, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Physically active students reported significantly lower scores for anger, tension, depression, fatigue, and confusion (all p < 0.001) with moderate effect sizes, while positive mood states such as vigour, happiness, and calmness showed no significant differences between groups. Walking was the most common activity reported. Conclusion: Regular physical activity is associated with lower negative mood states among medical students, supporting its role as a practical strategy for mental health promotion in this high-stress population. Further longitudinal research is warranted to confirm causality and inform targeted interventions.