Health-Enhancing Physical Activity: Associations with Markers of Well-Being

  1. Diane E. Mack1,*,
  2. Philip M. Wilson1,
  3. Katie E. Gunnell2,
  4. Jenna D. Gilchrist1,
  5. Kent C. Kowalski3,
  6. Peter R.E. Crocker2

Article first published online: 22 FEB 2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1758-0854.2012.01065.x

Issue

Applied Psychology: Health and Well‐Being

Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being

Volume 4, Issue 2, pages 127–150, July 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Mack, D. E., Wilson, P. M., Gunnell, K. E., Gilchrist, J. D., Kowalski, K. C. and Crocker, P. R.E. (2012), Health-Enhancing Physical Activity: Associations with Markers of Well-Being. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 4: 127–150. doi: 10.1111/j.1758-0854.2012.01065.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Brock University, Canada

  2. 2

    University of British Columbia, Canada

  3. 3

    University of Saskatchewan, Canada

* Diane E. Mack, Behavioural Health Sciences Research Lab, Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Ave., St Catharines, ON, Canada L2S 3A1. Email: dmack@brocku.ca

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 13 JUN 2012
  2. Article first published online: 22 FEB 2012

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Keywords:

  • health-enhancing physical activity;
  • self-determination theory;
  • well-being

Background: The association between health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) and well-being was investigated across a cross-sectional (Study 1; N = 243) and a longitudinal, two-wave (Study 2; N = 198) design. Study 2 further examined the role played by fulfilling basic psychological needs in terms of understanding the mechanisms via which HEPA is associated with well-being. Methods: Women enrolled in undergraduate courses were surveyed. Results: In general, greater HEPA was associated with greater well-being (Study 1; rs ranged from .03 to .25). Change score analyses revealed that increased HEPA positively predicted well-being (Study 2; R2adj = 0.03 to 0.15) with psychological need fulfilment underpinning this relationship. Conclusions: Collectively these findings indicate that increased engagement in health-enhancing physical activity represents one factor associated with greater well-being. Continued investigation of basic psychological need fulfilment as one mechanism underpinning the HEPA–well-being relationship appears justified.

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