Study links average training frequency with better mental well-being

It’s nothing new that exercising strengthens muscles and bones, improves sleep quality, respiratory capacity and reduces anxiety. What few know is that those who train more times a week do not necessarily have more mental well-beingdespite better physical well-being.

This was confirmed by research carried out by the Physical Education course at the Centro Universitário de Brasília (CEUB), when analyzing the impacts of intensity, frequency and volume of exercises on physical and mental health.

Relationship between training frequency and mental well-being

The study concluded that physical exercise is an instrument for improving mental health, with moderate frequency (3 to 4 times a week) being the most interesting for the individual’s mind. When only physical well-being was assessed, a frequency of 5 times generated better results. The 141 volunteer participants, aged between 18 and 65 years, were interviewed about their general health, physical limitations, quality of life and stress status.

Continues after advertising

According to Isabel Miranda, student in the 6th semester of Physical Education at CEUB and author of the research, the physical and mental aspects were evaluated separately, considering that each individual had their own evaluation parameters. In addition to the analysis of physical capacity, limitations and pain, in the mental aspect, emotional factors, stress levels and even suicidal ideation were considered.

“We evaluated the two scenarios with different parameters. Still, physical well-being, from a physiological point of view, generates healthy adaptations for emotional well-being. Even though there is this relationship, each one has its own specificities”, she explains, adding: “Therefore, those who train more times a week do not necessarily have better emotional well-being, despite having the best physical well-being”.

It is worth remembering that the Ministry of Health recommends practicing physical activities for at least 150 minutes per week.

Continues after advertising

Balance even in physical activities

CEUB research reinforces that balance is ideal, as greater frequency, intensity and volume of exercise are not always more beneficial for mental health. The results show that “balance, even when it comes to physical exercise, is important”. When comparing those who exercise every day, those who are sedentary (13 participants) and those who exercise 3 to 4 times, the first group showed a worse state of mental health.

“We can relate this result to a possible exaggeration or addiction to exercising 5 to 7 days a week, without allowing rest or leisure time. High-performance athletes who exercise every day, without rest, have reported some mental health problems, due to excessive practice and the demands involved, such as burnout syndrome”, warns Isabel. She recommends deepening the research, distinguishing and comparing the modalities practiced in terms of their effect on physical and mental health.

The coordinator of the Physical Education course at CEUB, Renata Elias Dantas also highlights the multidisciplinary nature of the research and emphasizes that it is gratifying to see students interested in the area of ​​improving people’s quality of life. “We are concerned with showing students the different possibilities of action, such as health, sport, quality of life or improving comorbidities”, he adds.