Effects of a multi-component program to promote physical activity on mental health indicators in adolescents: a pilot randomized controlled study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to verify the effects of 12 weeks of a physical activity (PA) promotion program on the mental health of adolescents. The sample consisted of adolescents of both sexes aged between 12 and 15 years old, who were allocated into intervention group and control group. The intervention program included the following components: PA sessions in the school; encourage the practice of PA outside the school environment; and guidelines for a healthy lifestyle. The mental health indicators analyzed were anxiety and depression symptoms, sleep quality and psychological well-being. The effects of the intervention on the outcome variables were analyzed using ANOVA for repeated measures. The intergroup comparison was performed using the analysis of covariance. A significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. After 12 weeks, the intervention group showed a significant decrease in sleep scores (p=0.03), and in anxiety (p=0.003) and depression (p=0.03) symptoms compared to baseline. In intergroup comparisons, a significant effect favoring the intervention groups was observed for depression symptoms (-2.39; 95% CI: -4.68; -0.11). As for the control group, no significant differences were found in mental health indicators. It is concluded that 12 weeks of intervention of a PA promotion program improved mental health indicators of adolescents in the intervention group.