Abstract des Autors

It is established that good mental health is positively associated with physical activity. How much physical activity would be needed and which type of activities are most beneficial is not yet clear. The purpose of this investigation was to measure the association between last year leisure-time moderate to vigorous physical activity and involvement in high intensity training during the fast 3 months with depressiveness, state and trait anxiety, perceived stress, and perceived self-efficacy. Regular intensive sport training during the last three months, and the leisure-time physical activity during the last year was assessed by means of self-report questionnaires in 81 middle-aged (mean age 40 years) healthy men. Psychometric measurements were carried out by using the approbated Estonian versions of Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form, Perceived Stress Scale, and Self-Efficacy Scale. One third of the subjects had no leisure-time moderate to vigorous physical activity during the last year. Division of remaining sample by median physical activity (2.1 h/wk) revealed that the physically most active group was significantly less depressive, stressed and anxious, and they had significantly higher scores of self-efficacy than the more sedentary men. In this sample 25% of the subjects were involved in regular intensive sport training during the last three months. The "involvement" group in regular intensive physical activity over last three months did not differ from the "no involvement" group with regard to any psychological measures. These results show that previous year leisure-time moderate to vigorous physical activity has a beneficial effect on mental health in middle-aged men. Verf.-Referat