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Review

A Scoping Review of the Relationship between Running and Mental Health

1
Edinburgh Medical School, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
2
Physical Activity for Health Research Centre (PAHRC), University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8AQ, UK
3
Faculty of Health, Victoria University Wellington, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(21), 8059; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17218059
Received: 10 October 2020 / Revised: 29 October 2020 / Accepted: 29 October 2020 / Published: 1 November 2020
(This article belongs to the Section Sport and Health)
Poor mental health contributes significantly to global morbidity. The evidence regarding physical benefits of running are well-established. However, the mental health impacts of running remain unclear. An overview of the relationship between running and mental health has not been published in the last 30 years. The purpose of this study was to review the literature on the relationship between running and mental health. Our scoping review used combinations of running terms (e.g., Run* and Jog*) and mental health terms (general and condition specific). Databases used were Ovid(Medline), Ovid(Embase), ProQuest and SportDiscus. Quantitative study types reporting on the relationships between running and mental health were included. Database searches identified 16,401 studies; 273 full-texts were analysed with 116 studies included. Overall, studies suggest that running bouts of variable lengths and intensities, and running interventions can improve mood and mental health and that the type of running can lead to differential effects. However, lack of controls and diversity in participant demographics are limitations that need to be addressed. Cross-sectional evidence shows not only a range of associations with mental health but also some associations with adverse mental health (such as exercise addiction). This review identified extensive literature on the relationship between running and mental health. View Full-Text
Keywords: exercise; mental health; psychology; physical activity; running; jogging exercise; mental health; psychology; physical activity; running; jogging
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MDPI and ACS Style

Oswald, F.; Campbell, J.; Williamson, C.; Richards, J.; Kelly, P. A Scoping Review of the Relationship between Running and Mental Health. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 8059. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17218059

AMA Style

Oswald F, Campbell J, Williamson C, Richards J, Kelly P. A Scoping Review of the Relationship between Running and Mental Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(21):8059. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17218059

Chicago/Turabian Style

Oswald, Freya, Jennifer Campbell, Chloë Williamson, Justin Richards, and Paul Kelly. 2020. "A Scoping Review of the Relationship between Running and Mental Health" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 21: 8059. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17218059

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