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The Effects of Physical Exercise on Mental Health: From Cognitive Improvements to Risk of Addiction

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  • Pasquale Caponnetto

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
    Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
    Center for Tobacco Prevention and Treatment, University Hospital “Policlinico G.Rodolico-San Marco”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Mirko Casu

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Miriam Amato

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Dario Cocuzza

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Valeria Galofaro

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Alessandra La Morella

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Sara Paladino

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Kamil Pulino

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Nicoletta Raia

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Flavia Recupero

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Cristian Resina

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Samuele Russo

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Laura Maria Terranova

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Jennifer Tiralongo

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Maria Chiara Vella

    (Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

(1) Background : we aimed to investigate the effects of physical activity on cognitive functions and deficits of healthy population and other needy groups. Secondly, we investigated the relation between healthy habits and psychopathological risks. Finally, we investigated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on exercise addiction and possible associated disorders. (2) Methods : From April 2021 to October 2021, we conducted a review aimed at identifying the effects of physical exercise on mental health, from cognitive improvements to risk of addiction; we searched for relevant studies on PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINHAL. (3) Results : For the first purpose, results indicated multiple effects such as better precision and response speed in information processing tasks on healthy populations; improvement of executive functions, cognitive flexibility and school performance in children; improvement of attention and executive functions and less hyperactivity and impulsiveness on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); improvement of executive and global functions on adults; improvement of overall cognitive functioning on patients with schizophrenic spectrum disorder or bipolar disorder. Data also demonstrated that exercise addiction seems to be related to low levels of education, low self-esteem, eating disorders and body dysmorphisms. Eventually, it was found that people with lower traits and intolerance of uncertainty show a strong association between COVID-19 anxiety and compulsive exercise and eating disorder. (4) Conclusions : these findings underline on one side the beneficial effects of physical activity on cognitive function in healthy individuals in a preventive and curative key, while on the other side the importance of an adequate evaluation of psychological distress and personality characteristics associated with exercise addiction.

Suggested Citation

  • Pasquale Caponnetto & Mirko Casu & Miriam Amato & Dario Cocuzza & Valeria Galofaro & Alessandra La Morella & Sara Paladino & Kamil Pulino & Nicoletta Raia & Flavia Recupero & Cristian Resina & Samuele, 2021. "The Effects of Physical Exercise on Mental Health: From Cognitive Improvements to Risk of Addiction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13384-:d:706177
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Diego Fernández-Lázaro & Jerónimo J. González-Bernal & Nerea Sánchez-Serrano & Lourdes Jiménez Navascués & Ana Ascaso-del-Río & Juan Mielgo-Ayuso, 2020. "Physical Exercise as a Multimodal Tool for COVID-19: Could It Be Used as a Preventive Strategy?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Ilona Bidzan-Bluma & Małgorzata Lipowska, 2018. "Physical Activity and Cognitive Functioning of Children: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-13, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marion Remilly & Benoit Mauvieux & Joffrey Drigny, 2023. "Personality Traits Associated with the Risk of Exercise Dependence in Ultraendurance Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-17, January.
    2. Ying Zhang & Lijun Chen & Xiaoliu Jiang & Beáta Bőthe, 2022. "Investigating the Associations of ADHD Symptoms, Impulsivity, Physical Exercise, and Problematic Pornography Use in a Chinese Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-15, November.

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