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A Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Happiness

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  • Zhanjia Zhang

    (University of Michigan)

  • Weiyun Chen

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the relationship between physical activity and happiness through systematically reviewing the existing literature. A systematic search of major databases including PubMed/Medline, PsychInfo, SportDiscus, and Embase was performed in 2017 for original research articles published post-1980 with the related keywords of happiness and physical activity. From 1142 retrieved records, fifteen observational studies (thirteen cross-sectional studies and two longitudinal studies) and eight intervention studies (six randomized controlled trials and two non-randomized trials) were included for further analysis. These studies involved a wide range of population from various countries and areas. All the observational studies reported positive associations between physical activity and happiness. As little as 10-min physical activity per week or 1 day of doing exercise per week might result in increased levels of happiness. Mediation effects were examined in two studies indicating the positive relationship between physical activity and happiness might be mediated by health and social functioning. The randomized controlled trials mostly focused on older adults and cancer survivors, and suggested that both aerobic exercise and stretching/balancing exercise were effective in improving happiness. Evidence showed a consistent positive relationship between physical activity and happiness. However, due to the limited number of randomized controlled trials, we cannot draw firm conclusions regarding the causal relationship between physical activity and happiness. Future research is suggested to explore the mechanism of how physical activity influences happiness and to determine the optimal dose and type of physical activity for gaining the benefits of happiness.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhanjia Zhang & Weiyun Chen, 2019. "A Systematic Review of the Relationship Between Physical Activity and Happiness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 1305-1322, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:20:y:2019:i:4:d:10.1007_s10902-018-9976-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-018-9976-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Teije Koopmans & Johanna Geleijnse & Frans Zitman & Erik Giltay, 2010. "Effects of Happiness on All-Cause Mortality During 15 Years of Follow-Up: The Arnhem Elderly Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 113-124, March.
    2. Benjamin Caunt & John Franklin & Nina Brodaty & Henry Brodaty, 2013. "Exploring the Causes of Subjective Well-Being: A Content Analysis of Peoples’ Recipes for Long-Term Happiness," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(2), pages 475-499, April.
    3. Dolan, Paul & Peasgood, Tessa & White, Mathew, 2008. "Do we really know what makes us happy A review of the economic literature on the factors associated with subjective well-being," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 29(1), pages 94-122, February.
    4. Mario Azevedo & Cora Araújo & Felipe Reichert & Fernando Siqueira & Marcelo Silva & Pedro Hallal, 2007. "Gender differences in leisure-time physical activity," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 52(1), pages 8-15, February.
    5. Sonja Lyubomirsky & Heidi Lepper, 1999. "A Measure of Subjective Happiness: Preliminary Reliability and Construct Validation," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 46(2), pages 137-155, February.
    6. Judith Cornelisse-Vermaat & Gerrit Antonides & Johan Ophem & Henriette Brink, 2006. "Body Mass Index, Perceived Health, and Happiness: Their Determinants and Structural Relationships," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 79(1), pages 143-158, October.
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    5. Laura Cabiedes-Miragaya & Cecilia Diaz-Mendez & Isabel García-Espejo, 2021. "Well-Being and the Lifestyle Habits of the Spanish Population: The Association between Subjective Well-Being and Eating Habits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
    6. Chyi Liang & Pei-Ling Wu & Po-Fu Lee & Chien-Chang Ho, 2021. "Association of Regular Leisure-Time Physical Activity with Happiness among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-10, August.
    7. Ozgur Yayla & Arif Aytekin & Fatih Uslu & Gozde Seval Ergun & Huseyin Keles & Yigit Guven, 2023. "How Does the Experience Quality of Recreational Activities Organized within the Scope of Public Health Affect Perceived Value, Satisfaction and Behavioral Intentions of Individuals?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-16, March.
    8. Hsin-Yu An & Wei Chen & Cheng-Wei Wang & Hui-Fei Yang & Wan-Ting Huang & Sheng-Yu Fan, 2020. "The Relationships between Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction and Happiness among Young, Middle-Aged, and Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-10, July.
    9. HangUk Cheon & Seijun Lim, 2020. "Pursuing Sustainable Happiness through Participation in Exercise for South Korean Students: Structural Relationships among Exercise, Mental Health Factors, School Satisfaction, and Happiness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-13, May.
    10. Vu Bich Ngoc & Nguyen Le Hoang Thuy To Quyen, 2023. "Investigating determinants of quality of life: The case of older people in Ho Chi Minh City," HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE - SOCIAL SCIENCES, HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY, vol. 13(1), pages 160-176.
    11. Micael Dahlen & Helge Thorbjørnsen & Hallgeir Sjåstad & Petra von Heideken Wågert & Charlotta Hellström & Birgitta Kerstis & Daniel Lindberg & Jonas Stier & Maria Elvén, 2021. "Changes in Physical Activity Are Associated with Corresponding Changes in Psychological Well-Being: A Pandemic Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-9, October.
    12. Costas N. Tsouloupas & Constantinos M. Kokkinos, 2023. "Mind, Body, and Pandemic: Understanding the Complex Relationships Between Subjective Well-Being, Physical Activity, and Perceived Multi-Dimensional COVID-19 Impact," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, November.
    13. Michael Mutz & Anne K. Reimers & Yolanda Demetriou, 2021. "Leisure Time Sports Activities and Life Satisfaction: Deeper Insights Based on a Representative Survey from Germany," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 16(5), pages 2155-2171, October.
    14. Oliver W. A. Wilson & Chris Whatman & Simon Walters & Sierra Keung & Dion Enari & Andy Rogers & Sarah-Kate Millar & Lesley Ferkins & Erica Hinckson & Jeremy Hapeta & Michael Sam & Justin Richards, 2022. "The Value of Sport: Wellbeing Benefits of Sport Participation during Adolescence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-9, July.
    15. Jiayu Li & Zan Huang & Wenna Si & Tianyi Shao, 2022. "The Effects of Physical Activity on Positive Emotions in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-18, October.
    16. Javier Piñeiro-Cossio & Antonio Fernández-Martínez & Alberto Nuviala & Raquel Pérez-Ordás, 2021. "Psychological Wellbeing in Physical Education and School Sports: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-16, January.
    17. Sumaira Kayani & Jin Wang & Michele Biasutti & María Luisa Zagalaz Sánchez & Tayyaba Kiyani & Saima Kayani, 2020. "Mechanism Between Physical Activity and Academic Anxiety: Evidence from Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-17, April.

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