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Health, Physical Exercise, Sport, and Quality of Life
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Health, Physical Exercise, Sport, and Quality of Life

A Special Issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2027 | Viewed by 5655

Editors

Dr. Rubén Fernández-García

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almeria, 04120 Almeria, Spain
Interests: physical health; health psychology; physical pain; quality of life
Dr. Eduardo Melguizo-Ibáñez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Specific Didactics, University of La Laguna, 38200 La Laguna, Spain
Interests: physical education; mental health; psychosocial factors; physical activity; exercise

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a Special Issue entitled “Health, Physical Exercise, Sport, and Quality of Life” in Healthcare, focusing on the transformative role of physical activity and exercise in improving health and quality of life.

Maintaining a physically active lifestyle has numerous advantages for quality of life at different stages of human development. However, sedentary behaviours and physical inactivity are a problem that is present in different populations and is spreading around the world.

This Special Issue aims to explore the different ways in which physical activity and exercise contribute to physical health, mental health, and quality of life and to propose new lines of research, from different areas of knowledge, that support the improvement of health and quality of life. This theme is aligned with the focus of the journal by addressing healthcare practices based on the strategy of prevention and innovative approaches that promote the well-being of people. Original research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and case studies addressing topics such as the following are invited:

  • The role of physical activity and physical exercise in improving mental and physical health, and quality of life.
  • Impact of physical exercise and physical activity programs on social and community health.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Rubén Fernández-García
Dr. Eduardo Melguizo-Ibáñez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • physical activity
  • exercise
  • quality of life
  • mental health
  • physical health
  • healthcare interventions
  • community health

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 499 KB  
Article
The Mediating Roles of Sleep Quality and Physical Activity in the Association Between Smartphone Addiction and Physical Fitness Among College Students
by Sichao Chen, Yubo Liu, Weibing Ye, Ankang Wu and Jianwei Wu
Healthcare 2026, 14(15), 2433; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14152433 - 6 Aug 2026
Viewed by 316
Abstract
Background: In recent years, the decline in physical fitness among college students has emerged as a public health concern, with smartphone addiction considered a potential contributing factor. However, previous studies have predominantly relied on self-reported health metrics, and potential pathways underlying its association [...] Read more.
Background: In recent years, the decline in physical fitness among college students has emerged as a public health concern, with smartphone addiction considered a potential contributing factor. However, previous studies have predominantly relied on self-reported health metrics, and potential pathways underlying its association on objective physical fitness remain to be further elucidated. Based on objective physical fitness test data, this study aimed to examine indirect associations through sleep quality and physical activity in the association between smartphone addiction and physical fitness among college students. Method: This cross-sectional study included 3400 undergraduates from one university in eastern China. Smartphone addiction, sleep quality, and physical activity were assessed using the Mobile Phone Addiction Index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form, respectively. Physical fitness scores were obtained from the National Student Physical Health Standard. A parallel mediation model was estimated using structural equation modeling, adjusting for sex and body mass index (BMI). Indirect effects were evaluated using a nonparametric percentile bootstrap procedure with 2000 resamples. Results: (1) Higher smartphone addiction scores were associated with lower self-reported physical activity (r = −0.085, p < 0.001) and poorer sleep quality (r = 0.396, p < 0.001). (2) Higher objective physical fitness scores were weakly associated with greater physical activity (r = 0.062, p < 0.001) and better sleep quality (r = −0.042, p < 0.05). (3) Mediation analysis revealed that the direct association of smartphone addiction on physical fitness was non-significant (B = −0.014, 95% CI [−0.045, 0.015]), whereas the total indirect association through sleep quality and physical activity was statistically significant but small in magnitude (B = −0.022, 95% CI [−0.035, −0.010]). Conclusions: Higher smartphone addiction scores were indirectly associated with lower objectively assessed physical fitness through poorer sleep quality and lower self-reported physical activity, whereas the direct association was not statistically significant. However, the observed effects were small, and their practical significance should be interpreted cautiously. Longitudinal studies are needed to confirm the direction and practical relevance of these associations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health, Physical Exercise, Sport, and Quality of Life)
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11 pages, 269 KB  
Article
Smartphone Addiction and Health Indicators in Portuguese University Students: The Moderating Role of Physical Activity
by Bebiana Sabino, Afonso Caixeiro, Pedro Bento, Luís Murta and André Bento
Healthcare 2026, 14(14), 2152; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14142152 - 16 Jul 2026
Viewed by 457
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Smartphone addiction has emerged as an important public health concern among university students and has been linked to risky movement patterns, such as physical inactivity, prolonged sitting time, and poor sleep outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Smartphone addiction has emerged as an important public health concern among university students and has been linked to risky movement patterns, such as physical inactivity, prolonged sitting time, and poor sleep outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between smartphone addiction, sleep quality, sleep duration, sitting time, and physical activity among Portuguese higher education students, as well as to see if physical activity moderates the relationship between smartphone addiction and health-related behaviors. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study included 147 Portuguese higher education students (70.1% male; mean age = 20.11 ± 1.94 years). Data were gathered by an online questionnaire that included the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI-PT). Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, Mann–Whitney U tests, and hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis were run. Results: The prevalence of smartphone addiction was 22.4%. Smartphone addiction was positively associated with sitting time (r = 0.226, p = 0.007) and negatively associated with physical activity (r = −0.169, p = 0.047). The link between smartphone addiction and sleep quality (ΔR2 = 0.035, p = 0.028) and sleep duration (ΔR2 = 0.039, p = 0.017) was associated with a weaker relationship with physical activity. However, neither interaction survived Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (adjusted α = 0.017). Conclusions: Smartphone addiction is associated with increased sedentary behavior and decreased physical activity levels. The exploratory moderation pattern observed suggests a potential role of physical activity in the relationship between smartphone addiction and sleep indicators, pending replication in larger and more heterogeneous samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health, Physical Exercise, Sport, and Quality of Life)
16 pages, 3028 KB  
Article
Physical Activity Habit Automaticity, Psychological Distress, and Quality of Life Among Chinese University Students: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Moderated Mediation Study
by Yanli Tan, Shiqi Liu and Liuhong Zang
Healthcare 2026, 14(13), 1863; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14131863 - 26 Jun 2026
Viewed by 458
Abstract
Background: Physical activity is widely linked to better mental health and quality of life in university students, but less is known about whether the automatic, habit-like quality of physical activity is prospectively associated with quality of life through psychological distress and whether this [...] Read more.
Background: Physical activity is widely linked to better mental health and quality of life in university students, but less is known about whether the automatic, habit-like quality of physical activity is prospectively associated with quality of life through psychological distress and whether this indirect association depends on exercise identity. The objective of this study was to test a three-wave longitudinal moderated mediation model linking T1 physical activity habit automaticity, T2 psychological distress, T3 quality of life, and T1 exercise identity. Methods: A three-wave longitudinal survey was conducted among Chinese university students in 2026. After data cleaning and anonymous matching across waves, the final analytic sample included 1024 students, of whom 58.98% were female. T1 physical activity habit automaticity was assessed using the Self-Report Behavioral Automaticity Index, T1 exercise identity using the Exercise Identity Scale, T2 psychological distress using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, and T3 quality of life using the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index. PROCESS Model 4 and Model 7 were estimated with 5000 bootstrap samples, controlling for sex, age, grade, physical activity frequency, sleep quality, baseline psychological distress, and baseline quality of life. Results: In the baseline-adjusted mediation model, T1 physical activity habit automaticity was negatively associated with T2 psychological distress (B = −0.503, p < 0.001), and T2 psychological distress was negatively associated with T3 quality of life (B = −0.086, p < 0.001). The indirect effect was significant (effect = 0.043, 95% CI [0.028, 0.059]), with a mediated proportion of 30.9%, while the direct effect remained significant. In the moderated mediation model, the habit automaticity × exercise identity interaction significantly predicted T2 psychological distress (B = −0.317, p < 0.001, ΔR2 = 0.008). Conditional indirect effects were significant at mean and high levels of exercise identity, and the index of moderated mediation was significant (index = 0.027, 95% CI [0.012, 0.043]). Conclusions: Physical activity habit automaticity was prospectively associated with higher quality of life partly through lower psychological distress, and this indirect association was more pronounced among students with stronger exercise identity. The findings highlight habit formation and exercise identity as potentially relevant targets for campus health promotion, although causal conclusions remain limited by the observational design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health, Physical Exercise, Sport, and Quality of Life)
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19 pages, 339 KB  
Article
Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation Improves Mobility and Gait Performance: Evidence from TUG and 10MWT
by Ovidiu Cristian Chiriac, Daniela Miricescu, Corina Sporea, Silviu-Marcel Stanciu, Dragos Constantin Lunca, Silviu Constantin Badoiu, Ileana Adela Vacaroiu, Raluca Mititelu, Raluca Grigore, Ana Raluca Mitrea and Sarah Adriana Nica
Healthcare 2025, 13(22), 2892; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13222892 - 13 Nov 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1705
Abstract
Background and Objectives: COVID-19 has been associated with prolonged inactivity and reduced physical performance, even in mild and moderate cases. This study aimed to evaluate changes in functional mobility and gait speed, assessed with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and 10-Meter [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: COVID-19 has been associated with prolonged inactivity and reduced physical performance, even in mild and moderate cases. This study aimed to evaluate changes in functional mobility and gait speed, assessed with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), in patients with mild to moderate post-COVID-19 conditions undergoing a structured rehabilitation program. Materials and Methods: A controlled observational study was conducted on 193 patients (115 women, 78 men) who had recovered from mild to moderate COVID-19. Participants were divided into a rehabilitation group (n = 160) and a control group (n = 33) who did not undergo structured physical therapy. Functional performance was assessed with TUG and 10MWT at admission and at one-year follow-up. Results: Both tests showed significant improvements following rehabilitation. In the rehabilitation group, the proportion of patients classified as functionally independent increased significantly for both the TUG (Cramér’s V = 0.468, p < 0.001) and 10MWT (Cramér’s V = 0.500, p < 0.001). The McNemar test confirmed a moderate within-group improvement for 10MWT (p = 0.001). Older adults (≥60 years) exhibited functional gains comparable to younger participants. A strong association between final TUG and 10MWT categories (Cramér’s V = 0.40, p < 0.001) confirmed the consistency of outcomes. Conclusions: Structured rehabilitation significantly improves balance, gait speed, and functional independence in mild-to-moderate post-COVID-19 patients. These findings highlight that rehabilitation should be integrated into the continuum of post-COVID care, as meaningful recovery is achievable even outside severe cases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health, Physical Exercise, Sport, and Quality of Life)
10 pages, 426 KB  
Article
Can Physical Activity Intensity Condition Anxiety, Mental Hyperactivity, and Resilience in Higher Education Students?
by Rubén Fernández-García, Cristina González-Forte, María Rosa Ortega-Lasheras and Eduardo Melguizo-Ibáñez
Healthcare 2025, 13(20), 2566; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13202566 - 11 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1380
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Scientific literature has demonstrated the positive effects of physical activity in college students. The research seeks to examine the relationships of light, moderate and vigorous physical activity on resilience, mental hyperactivity and anxiety. Methods: An explanatory and cross-sectional study was [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Scientific literature has demonstrated the positive effects of physical activity in college students. The research seeks to examine the relationships of light, moderate and vigorous physical activity on resilience, mental hyperactivity and anxiety. Methods: An explanatory and cross-sectional study was carried out. A sample of 2305 university students belonging to different university degrees participated in the study. The following questionnaires were used: International physical activity and mental hyperactivity. The Connor and Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were also used. Results: Regarding the relationship between light physical activity and anxiety, a weak but significant relationship was observed (β = 0.027, p < 0.05). A weak but significant relationship was also observed between light physical activity and mental hyperactivity (β = 0.044, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The promotion of moderate-vigorous physical activity together with the development of personal resilience can be effective tools to reduce anxiety and mental hyperactivity in the university population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health, Physical Exercise, Sport, and Quality of Life)
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Review

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17 pages, 518 KB  
Review
Psychosocial Correlates of Physical Activity Engagement in University Students: A Systematic Review of Resilience and Emotional Processes
by Nuria Pérez-Romero, Montserrat Caballero-Cerbán and Silvia San Román Mata
Healthcare 2026, 14(13), 1929; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14131929 - 1 Jul 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 434
Abstract
Background: Physical exercise is key to good health, but during the transition to university, levels of physical activity often decline. In this context, resilience and emotional intelligence are important psychological resources that may support sustained participation in sport, while exercise-related emotional processes, including [...] Read more.
Background: Physical exercise is key to good health, but during the transition to university, levels of physical activity often decline. In this context, resilience and emotional intelligence are important psychological resources that may support sustained participation in sport, while exercise-related emotional processes, including affective experiences such as enjoyment, boredom, and anger, may also influence engagement in physical activity. Objective: to analyze the relationship between adherence to sports-related physical activity and psychosocial variables such as resilience and emotional processes among university students. Methods: This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025641102). The search was conducted in January 2025 in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. Quantitative and qualitative studies evaluating sporting engagement related to resilience or emotional components among university students were selected. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Results: five studies with sample sizes ranging from 72 to over 48,000 participants were included. High levels of resilience were associated with more frequent participation in recreational activities and acted as a protective factor against academic stress. Enjoyment is the strongest predictor of behavioral and emotional commitment to sport. Conversely, boredom and negative emotions predict lower levels of future participation. Students with higher emotional responses coped better with psychological barriers and reported greater satisfaction with their performance, which ensures the habit is maintained. Conclusion: Resilience and emotional processes appear to be associated with physical activity engagement among university students. However, given the limited number of studies and their heterogeneity, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary and hypothesis-generating. The results suggest the potential relevance of fostering these psychological capacities as part of broader strategies aimed at reducing sedentary behavior and promoting mental wellbeing in university populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health, Physical Exercise, Sport, and Quality of Life)
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