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The Effects of Physically Active Leisure on Stress-Health Relationships

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Abstract

In this article, the effects of physically active leisure on the relationships between stress and health are examined using structural equation modeling (SEM). The analyses are based on data from Canada’s 1994 National Population Health Survey (n = 17,626). Overall, physically active leisure was found to directly contribute to higher levels of physical health and wellbeing, and lower levels of mental ill-health among Canadians. When the respondents experienced higher levels of chronic stress, life event stress, and/or work stress, involvement in physically active leisure appeared to help them maintain good health and wellbeing. Also, higher levels of participation in physically active leisure helped paid workers suppress levels of work stress. Agencies involved in health promotion and lifestyle intervention should give greater consideration to physically active leisure. As a significant component of an active lifestyle, physically active leisure can contribute to better health, and provide a valuable resource for coping with stress.

Résumé

Nous avons analysé les effets de l’activité physique sur la relation entre le stress et la santé en nous servant d’un modèle d’équations structurelles. L’analyse repose sur des données recueillies dans le cadre de l’Enquête nationale sur la santé de la population de 1994 (n = 17 626). Sommairement, nous avons constaté que, chez les Canadiens, les loisirs actifs avaient une influence positive sur le bien-être et la santé physique et favorisaient une meilleure santé mentale. L’activité physique contribuait à maintenir la santé et le bien-être des répondants en période de hauts niveaux de stress chronique, de stress lié aux événements traumatisants de la vie, et/ou de stress professionnel. De plus, un niveau élevé d’activité physique aidait les hommes et femmes actifs à réduire les effets du stress professionnel. Les organismes de promotion de la santé et de modification des habitudes de vie devraient se pencher sur les bienfaits des loisirs actifs qui, s’ils font partie intégrante d’une vie active, peuvent améliorer la santé et deviennent un outil précieux pour combattre le stress.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health, Leisure & Human Performance Research Institute, Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation Studies, University of Manitoba, 113 Frank Kennedy Centre, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada

    Yoshi Iwasaki PhD

  2. Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Faculty of Applied Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Jiri Zuzanek PhD & Roger C. Mannell PhD

Authors
  1. Yoshi Iwasaki PhD
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  2. Jiri Zuzanek PhD
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  3. Roger C. Mannell PhD
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Correspondence to Yoshi Iwasaki PhD.

Additional information

This paper is based on a project funded by National Health Research Development Program (NHRDP) in Canada.

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Iwasaki, Y., Zuzanek, J. & Mannell, R.C. The Effects of Physically Active Leisure on Stress-Health Relationships. Can J Public Health 92, 214–218 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404309

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