Higher levels of sport and physical activity were associated with more positive mental health component scores among undergraduate students, with no significant differences in physical health scores.
Cross-Sectional (n=2,164)
No
Does sport and physical activity level impact health-related quality of life in undergraduate collegiate students?
Higher levels of sport and physical activity are associated with better mental health-related quality of life among undergraduate students.
PURPOSE: To examine and compare the role of self-assessed sport and physical activity involvement on the health-related quality of life among undergraduate student-athletes and general undergraduate college students. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. Data set was examined for differences in physical and mental health by self-assessed sport and physical activity level. SETTING: Large Midwestern University in the fall of 2016. PARTICIPANTS: A combined data set representing undergraduate Division I student athletes (n = 842) and general undergraduate students (n = 1322). MEASURES: Veterans RAND 12 Item Health Survey (VR-12), as measure of health-related quality of life, comprised of physical component score (PCS) and mental component score (MCS). Self-assessed sport and physical activity level categorized as Division I athlete, club athlete, intramural player, student who works out regularly, or student who is physically inactive. ANALYSIS: tests were conducted, as appropriate, to compare Division I student-athletes to the general undergraduate group. Multivariable linear regression models were then built to assess associations between physical activity level and year in school with VR-12 outcomes, after adjusting for sex. All pairwise interactions were considered for inclusion in the final models. Adjusted least-square means were calculated for all variables in the model; pairwise comparisons were adjusted for multiple comparisons via Tukey-Kramer adjustment criteria. A linear test for trend was also conducted for the association between VR-12 MCS and increasing physical activity. RESULTS: Significant differences in MCS were noted between levels of sport and physical activity; however, such differences were not detected in PCS. After controlling for sex, a positive relationship between increased sport and physical activity level and greater MCS was found. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the first prospective assessment of health-related quality of life among undergraduate athletes and general college students. Higher levels of sport and physical activity were associated with more positive mental health in these populations.
Snedden et al. (Wed,) reported a cross-sectional. Sport and physical activity level vs. Lower levels of physical activity or physical inactivity was evaluated on Health-related quality of life (VR-12 physical and mental component scores). Higher levels of sport and physical activity were associated with more positive mental health component scores among undergraduate students, with no significant differences in physical health scores.
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