Who exercises for mood regulation? Results from the Guangdong National Physique Monitoring data

Abstract Background: This study focused on different exercise motivations, especially mood regulation and their relation to the sociodemographic status, exercise pattern and physical conditions of adults and older adults in China who did not undergo interventions. Methods: A total of 5242 participants aged 20-69 years from 2016 to 2018 were recruited in this cross-sectional study to finish the questionnaire of Guangdong National Physique Monitoring organized by the Guangzhou Institute of Sports Science. Multiple statistical analyses methods were used to study each exercise motivation and its sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, education and job), exercise measurements (frequency, duration and intensity) and physical conditions (BMI, abdominal obesity and basic diseases). An exercise index that is good for mental health (index 1: 45 min per session and 3-5 times per week; index 2: exercise motivation of mood regulation and exercise 60-120 min per week) was also used to investigate the number and type of people who were more likely to meet the index. Results: In our study, 44.9% (2355/5242) of participants showed exercise inactivity. No gender difference was observed among those who exercised for mood regulation. Only older participants and those with an average level of education showed a significant association with mood regulation. Few people met the index that is good for mental health (16.64% (872/5242) met index 1 and 2.84% (149/5242) met index 2), and higher education showed a significant association with a reduction in the mental health burden and the prevention of depression. Conclusion: This investigation suggests motivating people to be more active, educating people on the mental health benefits of exercise.