The Effects of Accumulated Short Bouts of Mobile-Based Physical Activity Programs on Depression, Perceived Stress, and Negative Affectivity among College Students in South Korea: Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Regular physical activity (PA) is known to enhance multifaceted health benefits, including both physical and mental health. However, traditional in-person physical activity programs have drawbacks, including time constraints for busy people. Although evidence suggests positive impacts on mental health through mobile-based physical activity, effects of accumulated short bouts of physical activity using mobile devices are unexplored. Thus, this study aims to investigate these effects, focusing on depression, perceived stress, and negative affectivity among South Korean college students. Forty-six healthy college students were divided into the accumulated group (n = 23, female = 47.8%) and control group (n = 23, female = 47.6%). The accumulated group engaged in mobile-based physical activity, following guidelines to accumulate a minimum of two times per day and three times a week. Sessions were divided into short bouts, ensuing each bout lasted at least 10 min. The control group did not engage in any specific physical activity. The data analysis involved comparing the scores of the intervention and control groups using several statistical techniques, such as independent sample t-test, paired sample t-tests, and 2 (time) × 2 (group) repeated measures analysis of variance. The demographic characteristics at the pre-test showed no statistically significant differences between the groups. The accumulated group had significant decreases in depression (t = 2.59, p = 0.013, Cohen’s D = 0.84) and perceived stress (t = 2.06, p = 0.046, Cohen’s D = 0.56) from the pre- to post-test. The control group exhibited no statistically significant differences in any variables. Furthermore, there were significant effects of time on depression scores (F = 4.77, p = 0.036, η = 0.12) while significant interaction effects were also observed for depression (F = 6.59, p = 0.015, η = 0.16). This study offers informative insights into the potential advantages of mobile-based physical activity programs with accumulated periods for enhancing mental health, specifically in relation to depression. This study illuminates the current ongoing discussions on efficient approaches to encourage mobile-based physical activity and improve mental well-being, addressing various lifestyles and busy schedules.