Exercising alone in men and group exercise in women are cross-sectionally associated with positive mental health among older Japanese

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Exercising alone was associated with a 22% higher prevalence of poor mental health among men compared to non-exercisers, while women showed a significant association with group exercise.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Physical and mental health (n=9155). Intervention: Exercising alone for men and group exercise for women vs. Non-exercisers. Primary outcome: Poor mental health prevalence (APR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07-1.39, p=<0.001).

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

The aim is to explore the relationship between different exercise patterns and mental health in older Japanese individuals, focusing on gender differences.

Kimiko Tomioka; Midori Shima; K. Saeki

doi:10.1265/ehpm.25-00118

January 1, 2026Environmental Health and Preventive MedicineOpen Access

Exercising alone in men and group exercise in women are cross-sectionally associated with positive mental health among older Japanese

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Key result

Exercising alone is linked to ~22% higher poor mental health prevalence in men versus non-exercisers.

APR 1.22
95% CI 1.07-1.39
P<0.001
n=9,155

Figures

Why the study?

Does the pattern and frequency of exercise (alone vs. group) associate with physical and mental health in community-dwelling older Japanese adults?

Key Points

The aim is to explore the relationship between different exercise patterns and mental health in older Japanese individuals, focusing on gender differences.
Conducted a cross-sectional analysis of exercise patterns among older Japanese individuals.
Assessed mental health outcomes linked to solo exercise in men and group exercise in women.
Evaluated the implications for public health strategies based on gender.
Men showed positive mental health outcomes when exercising alone.
Women demonstrated better mental health when participating in group exercises.
The findings indicate a need for gender-sensitive public health strategies in community exercise programs.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=9,155)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

Does the pattern and frequency of exercise (alone vs. group) associate with physical and mental health in community-dwelling older Japanese adults?

P

Population

9,155 community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years without functional disability (4,211 men, 4,944 women) in A City, Nara Prefecture, Japan.

I

Intervention

Exercise patterns (participation in exercise groups, non-group-based exercise with others, exercising alone) categorized by frequency and continuity (maintained frequent, increase in frequency, maintained moderate, decrease in frequency, continuing non-exercise).

C

Comparator

Different frequencies and continuities of exercise (e.g., continuing non-exercise or decreased frequency compared to maintained frequent exercise).

O

Outcome

Poor physical and mental health, defined as the lower tertile of the Physical Health Component Summary Score (PCS) and Mental Health Component Summary Score (MCS) using the 8-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-8).patient reported

Main Result

Effect estimate: APR 1.22 (95% CI 1.07-1.39)

Absolute Event Rate: 22.6% vs 28.4%

p-value: p=<0.001

Exercise patterns are cross-sectionally associated with mental health in a gender-specific manner among older adults, with exercising alone benefiting men and group exercise benefiting women.

Limitations

Cross-sectional design limits causal interpretations.
Self-reported exercise habits may introduce recall bias.
Cross-sectional design precludes determining causality and reverse causation is possible
Assessment of exercise was based on a self-report questionnaire subject to recall bias
Only evaluated frequency and continuity of exercise, not time or intensity
Potential selection bias due to 63.4% response rate and exclusion of individuals with missing data
Evaluated exercise habits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring caution when generalizing to the post-pandemic period

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Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.

Implication

Consider gender when recommending exercise patterns for older adults' mental health; hypothesis-generating findings need longitudinal confirmation.

Abstract

All exercise patterns were cross-sectionally associated with physical health across genders. However, mental health outcomes varied: Cross-sectional associations with mental health were observed for men when exercising alone, and for women when exercising in groups. These results highlight the importance of gender-sensitive public health strategies, such as tailored community exercise programs. Due to the cross-sectional design, causality cannot be determined. However, the results do suggest that future longitudinal research is needed.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Tomioka et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Physical and mental health (n=9,155). Exercising alone for men and group exercise for women vs. Non-exercisers was evaluated on Poor mental health prevalence (APR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07-1.39, p=<0.001). Exercising alone was associated with a 22% higher prevalence of poor mental health among men compared to non-exercisers, while women showed a significant association with group exercise.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69b4fb1bb39f7826a300bb56 https://doi.org/10.1265/ehpm.25-00118

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Exercising alone in men and group exercise in women are cross-sectionally associated with positive mental health among older Japanese

Figures

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Exercising alone in men and group exercise in women are cross-sectionally associated with positive mental health among older Japanese

Figures

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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