Correlation of physical fitness with psychological well-being, stress, and depression in Korean adults

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical fitness and psychological well-being, stress, and depression in Korean adults. Participants were 160 adults aged 40–70 years living in the metropolitan area of Incheon. Results were collected from random sample of main measurements from Incheon fitness center of National Fitness Award Project (2019). We assessed participants using physical fitness test (national fitness award), Psychosocial well-being index short form, Perceived Stress Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale. The data were analyzed Pearson and Spearman rank correlation analysis, and linear was conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 25.0. The results indicated there were statistically significant associations between psychological well-being and agility, quick response; stress and flexibility; depression and strength endurance strength, body fat. In addition, analysis showed that strength, endurance strength, body fat of physical fitness factors could significantly predict depression, flexibility could significantly predict stress, agility and quick response could significantly predict psychological well-being.