Mental Health and Physical Activity最新文献

{"title":"Linking socio-behavioral health and accelerometer wear time in caregiver–preschooler dyads: The moderating role of coping strategies","authors":"Sisi Chen,&nbsp;Jiying Ling,&nbsp;Yingcen Xie,&nbsp;Lorraine B. Robbins","doi":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2025.100748","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2025.100748","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aims</h3><div>Limited research has examined accelerometer compliance from a family systems perspective, and no prior work specifically investigates how preschoolers' social-behavioral functioning relates to ActiGraph wear time. This study aimed to 1) examine the association between preschoolers' socio-behavioral health and caregiver-preschooler dyads’ ActiGraph wear time, and 2) explore whether caregiver coping moderated these relationships.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This secondary data analysis used cross-sectional data from 155 preschoolers (<em>M</em>_age = 46.87 months) and 141 caregivers (<em>M</em>_age = 31.57 years). Dyads wore an ActiGraph (wGT3X-BT) for seven days. Preschoolers’ socio-behavioral health was assessed by the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales-Second Edition. Caregivers completed the Brief COPE to measure coping strategies. Linear mixed-effects models with restricted maximum likelihood estimation were conducted.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Fewer preschooler problem behaviors were associated with greater accelerometer wear time among both preschoolers and caregivers. More preschoolers’ internalizing problems were correlated with lower accelerometer wear time among both caregivers and preschoolers, especially when caregivers reported greater use of avoidant or emotion-focused coping and less problem-focused coping. In contrast, greater preschooler social skills were related to higher wear time for both caregivers and preschoolers, particularly when caregivers reported more avoidant or emotion-focused coping and fewer problem-focused coping strategies.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Findings underscore the importance of caregiver coping styles in behavioral data collection with young children. Tailored interventions that support caregivers in using more effective coping strategies may improve accelerometer protocol compliance. The results may also shed light on how caregiver coping can be targeted to promote healthy behaviors such as physical activity and sleep within families.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51589,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Physical Activity","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100748"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Training needs of exercise professionals working with people who have experienced trauma and violence: A qualitative analysis of expert perspectives","authors":"Grace McKeon ,&nbsp;Oscar Lederman ,&nbsp;Francine Darroch","doi":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100776","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100776","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Exposure to trauma and violence is common and linked to adverse health outcomes such as chronic pain, cardiometabolic conditions, and mental health disorders. Many of these health consequences are common reasons for referral to exercise professionals, including physiotherapists and exercise physiologists. However, these professionals often lack training in trauma and violence-informed care (TVIC). This study aimed to identify existing training gaps, articulate core competencies, and examine preferred delivery to inform the development of a competency framework for TVIC training for exercise professionals.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A qualitative exploratory design was used, involving semi-structured interviews with experts in TVIC. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. A competency framework was then developed and validated through member checking, with participants rating each competency's relevance on a Likert scale. Competencies were mapped across three domains: knowledge, applied skills, and attitudes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>We interviewed 15 participants from 7 countries, comprising clinical psychologists, academics, and exercise professionals. The findings highlight significant gaps in the current knowledge and training of exercise professionals and underscore their potential role in the prevention and treatment of trauma. Specific training needs identified include awareness of types of traumatic events and diverse trauma experiences, identifying and responding to signs, responding to disclosures, adapting exercise prescription and assessments, and creating psychologically safe exercise environments.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study identified key knowledge gaps and training needs among exercise professionals. The findings inform the development of core competencies in TVIC, which should be embedded into education and practice guidelines to enhance care quality and improve outcomes for trauma survivors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51589,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Physical Activity","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100776"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147797732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “The moving brain: A cross-pathways framework linking exercise to the modulation of aversive information processing” [Mental Health and Physical Activity 30 (2026) 100757]","authors":"Haiting Zhu ,&nbsp;Yifan Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100763","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100763","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51589,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Physical Activity","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100763"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148178321","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of a trauma-informed physical activity intervention for posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and wellbeing in trauma-affected refugees: a randomized controlled trial","authors":"Henrik Nilsson ,&nbsp;Maria Gottvall ,&nbsp;Catharina Gustavsson ,&nbsp;Alexander Nissen ,&nbsp;Fredrik Saboonchi","doi":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100752","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100752","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background and aims</h3><div>Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly prevalent among forced migrant populations and is often accompanied by comorbid mental and physical health problems, and low levels of physical activity (PA). This study evaluated a multi-component, trauma-informed PA intervention for refugees on symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and subjective wellbeing. Additional process outcomes included levels of PA, sedentary time, and intervention adherence.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A randomized controlled trial with two arms: intervention group (IG) receiving a 10-week trauma-informed PA intervention and a waitlist control group (CG). Assessments occurred pre- and post-intervention and at 6-month follow-up. PTSD symptoms (primary outcome) were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for <em>DSM-5</em> (PCL-5). Intervention effects were evaluated using mixed-effects linear regression models.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The sample comprised 183 participants (age 22–67, 41 % women), with 92 in the IG and 91 in the CG. The IG showed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms from baseline to post-intervention and 6-month follow-up (<em>p</em> &lt; .001), with estimated PCL-5 scores of 52.3, 40.9, and 37.6. The between-group difference in PTSD symptoms at post-intervention (<em>MD</em> = 10.0, 95 % CI [6.2, 13.7], <em>p</em> &lt; .001) reflected a large effect size (<em>d</em> = 0.81), with similarly large effects for depression and anxiety (<em>d</em> = 0.83) and subjective wellbeing (<em>d</em> = 0.98). IG participants shifted from below to above the cutoff for sufficient PA, and all improvements persisted or further increased at 6-month follow-up.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The findings provide important evidence supporting PA in the treatment of PTSD and associated comorbidities among trauma-affected refugees.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51589,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Physical Activity","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100752"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977056","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Using participatory methods to develop physical activity interventions for mental health in adult populations: A scoping review and thematic synthesis","authors":"Yahan Liang,&nbsp;Xihe Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100753","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100753","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mental health problems are a major global health burden, with prevalence peaking in young adulthood. Although physical activity (PA) is well established as beneficial for mental health, participation rates remain low worldwide. Participatory methods, which actively engage stakeholders in shaping interventions, are increasingly recommended to ensure programs address the priorities and needs of those affected. This scoping review mapped the use of participatory methods in developing PA interventions for adult mental health, examining study characteristics, methods used, and resulting interventions, as well as barriers and facilitators to PA participation and factors influencing implementation. A systematic search of Web of Science, PubMed, and EBSCO (to May 14, 2025) identified 11 eligible studies, supplemented by six additional studies and one dissertation, resulting in 10 PA interventions developed through participatory methods for adults’ mental health. Thematic synthesis identified four implementation-related themes, including 15 descriptive subthemes: challenges faced by collaborative partners (e.g., environmental disconnection and inaccessibility), challenges faced by the research team (e.g., recruitment, time-intensive), interpersonal challenges (e.g., misaligned priorities and schedules), and enablers of participatory intervention design (e.g., providing skills training, multi-stakeholder involvement). Seven categories captured barriers and facilitators to PA participation identified through participatory research: psychological and motivational factors, structural and practical constraints, health-related and capacity, social and support networks, knowledge and information gaps, environmental and access factors, and cultural and community influences. These findings highlight methodological challenges, effective engagement strategies, and multi-level determinants of PA participation, providing evidence-based guidance for future PA intervention design and implementation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51589,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Physical Activity","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100753"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"24-Hour compositional data analysis on women's psychological health during the menopause transition","authors":"Nicole E. Logan ,&nbsp;Michelle Lim ,&nbsp;Natalie J. Sabik ,&nbsp;Christie L. Ward-Ritacco","doi":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100770","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100770","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Menopause presents a challenging phase for midlife women, with changes in physical activity, sleep, body composition, and psychological symptoms often accompanying the change in menstrual patterns. We used compositional data analysis (CoDA) to investigate how predicted changes in the 24-h activity cycle (24-HAC: sleep, sedentary behaviors, and physical activity) might benefit these challenges for menopausal midlife women.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>112 midlife women (aged 52.85 ± 6.2 years) were assessed for demographics, 24-HAC time-use behaviors obtained by ActiGraph accelerometry, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) Questionnaire, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and body composition via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. CoDA analyzed predicted changes in menopausal and depressive symptoms, stress, and body composition, with 20-min time reallocations of behaviors in the 24-HAC. Estimated response curves were based on significant regressions with isometric log ratio coordinates of time-use composition, adjusted for age, with 95% CI.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Significant R² changes were observed for the psychosocial domain of the MENQOL (adj R² = 0.063, p = .014), depressive symptoms (adj R² = 0.088, p = .003), and fat mass (adj R² = 0.054, p = .027). A predicted 20-min increase in MVPA and sleep, at the expense of LPA and sedentary time, was significantly associated with reduced psychological and depressive symptoms and fat mass, during menopause, with 95% CI.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Reducing sedentary time and LPA, and reallocating time toward sleep and MVPA by 20 min a day, could improve psychological health and depressive symptoms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51589,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Physical Activity","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100770"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147649941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The SPACES feasibility trial: A co-produced physical activity intervention for people with severe mental illness","authors":"Matthew Faires ,&nbsp;Gareth Jones ,&nbsp;Rebecca J. Beeken ,&nbsp;Trys Burke ,&nbsp;Cindy Cooper ,&nbsp;Robert J. Copeland ,&nbsp;Zoe Guy ,&nbsp;Andrew Hill ,&nbsp;Emily Hillison ,&nbsp;Phil Hodgson ,&nbsp;Michelle Horspool ,&nbsp;Jinshuo Li ,&nbsp;Katarzyna K. Machaczek ,&nbsp;Steve Parrott ,&nbsp;Helen Quirk ,&nbsp;Ines Rombach ,&nbsp;Brendon Stubbs ,&nbsp;Garry A. Tew ,&nbsp;Gemma Traviss-Turner ,&nbsp;Emily Turton ,&nbsp;Emily Peckham","doi":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100765","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100765","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>People with severe mental illness (SMI) experience a lower life expectancy compared to the general population. Taking part in regular physical activity can decrease the risk of physical health conditions (e.g. cardiovascular disease). People with SMI are less physically active than those without SMI. This is due to a variety of factors. Currently, physical activity interventions are not a part of standard care for people with SMI. Interventions that have been examined have lacked lived-experience input and produced limited engagement. An intervention has been co-produced to support people with SMI to increase their levels of physical activity.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The feasibility of delivering the Supporting <em>Physical Activity through Coproduction in People with Severe Mental Illness</em> (SPACES) intervention was evaluated in a two-armed randomised feasibility study. The recruitment and follow up processes, and the acceptability and suitability of the intervention were assessed. Physical activity levels were measured using an accelerometer. Progression to a definitive study was evaluated in accordance with set a priori criteria.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In total 73 people consented and 71 people were randomised across 6 National Health Service (NHS) sites. Thirty-five were allocated to the control and 36 to the intervention. Nine people formally withdrew from the study; 8 from the control and 1 from the intervention. Overall follow-up rates of 87% and 76% were observed at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups respectively. The group intervention was delivered by NHS staff at all six sites.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The SPACES feasibility study met the pre-determined progression criteria to a definitive randomised controlled trial.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51589,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Physical Activity","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100765"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147420667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effectiveness of a non-conventional physical activity intervention on lifestyle indicators in adults with depressive symptoms: a randomized clinical trial","authors":"Samara Mendes de Sousa,&nbsp;Cecília Bertuol,&nbsp;Edú Fiorin Schopf,&nbsp;Luciene Rafaela Franco dos Santos,&nbsp;Josefina Bertoli,&nbsp;Giovani Firpo Del Duca","doi":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2025.100732","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2025.100732","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Adults with depressive symptoms often exhibit health-risk behaviors, including physical inactivity, poor diet, alcohol consumption, and poor sleep Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a physical activity intervention on lifestyle indicators in adults with depressive symptoms.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Adults aged 20–59 years with depressive symptoms were randomly assigned to an intervention group (IG; n = 39) or control group (CG; n = 39). The 16-week intervention combined diverse physical activities with psychoeducational sessions based on Self-Determination Theory. Lifestyle was assessed using the Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire, applied pre- and post-intervention. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were used for both per-protocol (PP) and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among the 78 participants (76.9 % women; mean age 38.27 ± 10.46 years), the PP analysis showed significant group∗time interaction effects for the total lifestyle score (p = 0.026), as well as for the indicators of sleep quality, seatbelt use, stress management, safe sex (p &lt; 0.001), and introspection (p = 0.027), favoring the IG over time and when compared to the CG at post-intervention. The ITT analysis revealed positive group∗time interactions for sleep, seatbelt use, stress, and safe sex (p = 0.009), with improvements observed in both groups over time. Additionally, improvements in behavior type were found only in the IG (p = 0.069). However, a worsening was detected in the alcohol-related domain (p = 0.037) for the IG over time.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The intervention demonstrated promising but mixed effects on lifestyle outcomes among adults with depressive symptoms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51589,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Physical Activity","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100732"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145618329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cross-sectional and prospective associations between passive and mentally-active sedentary behaviors and academic achievement in adolescents","authors":"Mileny C.M. Freitas ,&nbsp;André O. Werneck ,&nbsp;Catiana L.P. Romanzini ,&nbsp;Marcelo Romanzini ,&nbsp;Jorge Mota ,&nbsp;Enio R.V. Ronque","doi":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100769","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100769","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>To analyze the cross-sectional and prospective associations of passive and mentally-active sedentary behavior (SB) with academic performance in school-aged adolescents, as well as to investigate potential gender interactions and conduct gender-stratified analyses.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This school-based study was conducted in Londrina, Paraná, Brazil, in 2016, and included a sample of 664 adolescents (348 girls) aged 12 years. After three years, follow-up data were collected from 115 participants (60 girls) aged 15 years (follow-up rate: 48%). At both points, participants self-reported their daily time (hours/day) spent in mentally-passive SB (watching television and videos) and mentally-active SB (playing video games, reading, and doing schoolwork) using a questionnaire derived from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children study. Academic achievement was assessed using official school grades in Portuguese, English, Mathematics, and History from the semester in which data collection occurred. Multiple linear regression models were applied, with adjustments for potential confounders. Interaction terms were used to assess the moderating effect of gender, and stratified analyses were conducted.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Overall, no associations were found between mentally-active or passive SB and academic performance in either the cross-sectional or prospective analyses for the whole sample, and the gender-interactions were not significant (p &gt; 0.05). Prospectively, an increase of 1 h in mentally-active SB was inversely associated with Portuguese grades among boys (β = −0.12, 95% CI: 0.22 to −0.03). In the cross-sectional analysis, mentally-passive SB was negatively associated with History (β = −0.09, 95% CI: 0.15 to −0.02) and English grades (β = −0.07, 95% CI: 0.14 to −0.01) among girls.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Although there were no significant associations in the whole sample, stratified analyses revealed that the negative relationships between SB and academic performance differ by gender, with mentally-passive SB being more relevant for girls and mentally-active SB for boys.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":51589,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Physical Activity","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100769"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147599966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Joint associations of cardiorespiratory fitness and adiposity with depressive symptoms in female university students: a cross-sectional analysis","authors":"Mikel Gutierrez-Garcia ,&nbsp;Sergio Oscoz-Ochandorena ,&nbsp;Mikel Izquierdo ,&nbsp;Robinson Ramírez-Vélez","doi":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100780","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mhpa.2026.100780","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Background and objective&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Depression is among the leading causes of disability in young adults, with a consistently higher burden in females and in university populations. Although higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been inversely associated with depressive symptoms, its interplay with adiposity in this population remains poorly characterised. We hypothesised that higher CRF would be associated with fewer depressive symptoms across adiposity strata, and that the joint presence of low CRF and elevated adiposity would identify the subgroup at greatest likelihood of clinically relevant depressive symptomatology.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Methods&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;In a cross-sectional sample of 251 female undergraduate students (mean age 20.63 ± 2.90 years), depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale–10 (CES-D-10; cut-off ≥10). Adiposity was quantified by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA; %body fat) and CRF by symptom-limited cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET; VO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;peak). Participants were classified into four mutually exclusive groups—Unfatness–Fit, Unfatness–Unfit, Fatness–Fit, and Fatness–Unfit—using previously validated population-based cut-off points consistent with ACSM normative data and the fat-but-fit classification framework (body fat≥32%; VO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;peak≥35 mL kg&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;·min&lt;sup&gt;−1&lt;/sup&gt;). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), robust Poisson regression, and logistic regression were used to examine group differences in CES-D-10 scores and the odds and prevalence of clinically relevant depressive symptomatology, adjusting for academic year of enrolment, smoking, physical activity, screen time, and diet quality.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Results&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;Thirty percent of participants met the CES-D-10 threshold for clinically relevant depressive symptomatology. VO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;peak correlated inversely with CES-D-10 scores (Spearman's ρ = −0.19, p &lt; 0.01). Adjusted CES-D-10 scores differed significantly by adiposity–fitness group (F&lt;sub&gt;[3, 135]&lt;/sub&gt; = 2.736, p = 0.047; partial η&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; = 0.046). The Fatness–Unfit group had higher adjusted CES-D-10 scores than the Unfatness–Fit group (adjusted mean difference = −2.68 points; 95%CI: −4.66 to −0.70; Cohen's d = 0.57). In logistic regression, the Fatness–Unfit group showed greater odds of clinically relevant depressive symptomatology compared with the Unfatness–Fit reference group (OR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.02–4.40). Robust Poisson regression confirmed a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms in the Fatness–Unfit group (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.04–2.89). The Fatness–Fit and Unfatness–Unfit groups did not differ significantly from the reference in either model.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;h3&gt;Conclusions&lt;/h3&gt;&lt;div&gt;In female undergraduate students, the combination of elevated adiposity and low CRF was associated with the highest likelihood of clinically relevant depressive symptomatology, rather than either factor","PeriodicalId":51589,"journal":{"name":"Mental Health and Physical Activity","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100780"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147991508","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}