The primary purpose of the present study was to assess differences in physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and mental health (i.e., depression, suicidal thoughts, and cognitive function) by marital status (i.e., married and widowed) within an aging population in South Korea. PA, SB, and mental health were evaluated in 9092 older adults by comparing the married group (n = 5773, 73.2 ± 5.9 years, 63.5%) to the widowed group (n = 3319, 75.8 ± 6.8 years, 36.5%). Between-group differences in PA, SB, depression, and cognitive function were tested using independent t-tests, and the association between marital status and gender was evaluated using two-way ANOVA. Suicidal thoughts were analyzed using a Mann–Whitney U-test. Older adults in the widowed group participated in significantly less PA (p < 0.001) and had higher SB (p < 0.001) per week, especially the widows, who had significantly less PA (p < 0.01) and had higher SB (p < 0.001) compared to married women. Participants in the widowed group experienced more depression (p < 0.001) and suicidal thoughts (p < 0.001) and had significantly lower cognitive function compared to participants in the married group (p < 0.001). Between the two groups, widowers were more vulnerable to all mental health factors compared to those in the married group. At the same time, widows were only more vulnerable to depression and cognitive function compared to women in the married group. Findings indicated that the presence of a spouse is strongly associated with higher PA levels, lower SB, and better mental health among older adults. Spouses are the primary social supports and play a major role in the health and emotional well-being of the aging population. Given the importance of the spouse, our study suggests that health educators working with older widows should prioritize several different forms of social support to benefit their physical and mental health.

Objective: This study analyzes pandemic-era diminished mental health and social connections among college students. Participants: Students of a large public university completed an online survey measuring self-reported mental health symptoms for themselves and that of their closest social connections. Methods: Three regression models were used to understand if pandemic-era diminished mental health was associated with mental health characteristics present among their social networks: (1) depressive symptoms, (2) loneliness, and (3) hopelessness. Results: Students experiencing depressive symptoms (R² = 0.13, F = 3.685, p < 0.001) perceived depressive symptoms (β = 0.32, p = 0.01) among their social connections. Students experiencing loneliness (R² = 0.13, F = 3.867, p < 0.001) perceived loneliness (β = 0.39, p = 0.02) among their social connections. Students experiencing hopelessness (R² = 0.14, F = 4.223, p < 0.001) perceived depressive symptoms (β = 0.35, p = 0.01) among their social connections. Conclusion: Social connections may influence mental health symptoms and could be a social determinant of certain mental health outcomes.

Physical activity (PA) is essential for physical, mental, and emotional health; however, few adults engage in enough PA. Group exercise environments such as CrossFit can promote sustained exercise habits through social influence, support, and norms. This cross-sectional study aims to provide evidence for PA social influence at CrossFit. CrossFit members (n = 62) reported PA, workout logging frequency, and members at their gym they: (1) work out with and (2) go to with personal matters. Separate linear network autocorrelation models (LNAMs) determined if individuals reported similar PA scores as those of their social ties at CrossFit that they work out with and/or those they go to for personal matters. Participants reported a mean of 2740.55 MET minutes/week (SD = 1847.08), working out with a mean of 9.89 members (SD = 6.26), and speaking to a mean of 2.66 members about personal matters (SD = 3.68). A person’s PA was significantly associated with that of their ties they go to with personal matters (PE_p = 0.08, SE_p = 0.02), but was not associated with the PA of their ties they work out with (PE_w = 0.02, SE_w = 0.01). Social influence on PA levels was present when a deeper connection is made between members. Fostering and promoting deeper connections between members may help promote PA and continued exercise habits.

(1) Introduction: Mental health (MH) and physical activity (PA) share a bi-directional relationship, but most studies report MH as the outcome. With diminishing pandemic-related MH, this review examines the impact of diminished MH on PA. (2) Methods: This narrative literature review included 19 empirical studies published since the COVID-19 pandemic. Electronic databases such as MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched for English language articles in peer-reviewed journals using equivalent index terms: “anxiety”, “depression”, “stress”, “mental health”, “exercise”, “activity”, “COVID-19”, “coronavirus”, and “2019 pandemic”. The search reviewed 187 articles with double-rater reliability using Covidence. A total of 19 articles met the inclusion criteria. (3) Results: MH themes that impacted PA were depression and/or anxiety (n = 17), one of which identified inadequate coping and excessive pandemic stress (n = 2). In addition, women are more likely to suffer diminished MH and reduced PA throughout the pandemic. (4) Conclusion: Current research suggests that individuals with pre-pandemic MH episodes are correlated with more effective coping skills and fewer adverse effects from COVID-19 than expected. As we emerge from this pandemic, equipping all individuals, especially women, with positive coping strategies may accelerate a seamless return to PA.

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive impairments in balance, gait, and quality of life (QoL). Exercise interventions have emerged as complementary therapies, but their effectiveness remains unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on balance, gait speed, QoL, and symptom relief among older adults with PD. Methods: Following Cochrane Collaboration and PRISMA guidelines, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in peer-reviewed journals up to November 2023 were identified (n = 388) through PsycINFO, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Studies included adults aged ≥60 with PD, assessing exercise interventions compared to control conditions. Evidence quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Random-effects models with standardized mean differences (SMD) were used to analyze the effectiveness of exercise interventions on balance, gait speed, QoL, and symptom relief. Results: Eleven RCTs were analyzed. Exercise interventions showed no significant effect on balance (SMD = −0.06, p = 0.41), QoL (SMD = 0.06, p = 0.33), or PD symptom relief (SMD = 0.10, p = 0.45). However, a significant improvement in gait speed was observed (SMD = −0.90, p = 0.001). Conclusions: In older adults with PD, exercise significantly enhances gait speed only; evidence for balance, QoL, and symptom relief is non-significant, and interpretation is limited by between-study heterogeneity and small samples. Since various measurement tools across studies may have influenced the outcomes, future research should incorporate repeated measurements using more specific and consistent assessment tools to clarify the effectiveness of exercise interventions for older adults with PD.

Purpose: Child physical activity (PA) is vital for physical and mental health, yet many children do not meet recommendations. Temporary, place-based programs designed to provide PA opportunities to youth could be a promising approach. This case-study describes familial PA at a suburban pop-up park (PUP) occurring on a weekend during the school year. Methods: iSOPARC (v 1.85) was used with double-rater reliability for a total of four rounds (one round every 30 minutes starting 15 minutes into the event) documenting the PA of individuals in each of the nine target areas at the PUP. PA was dichotomized into physically active (walking or vigorous) and sedentary (sitting or standing). Descriptive statistics were generated. Results: 179 individuals were observed (62% female, 26% children, 28% teens, 45% adults). Overall, 53% (n = 47) of children, 18% of teens (n = 11), and 17% (n = 14) of adults were observed as physically active. Per target area, percentages of physically active individuals were: 93% physically active (n = 14) at the playground, 44% physically active (n = 7) during basketball, 41% physically active (n = 9) during open play, 40% physically active (n = 4) during kickball, 24% physically active (n = 5) at check-in, 20% physically active (n = 6) in the snack area, 11% physically active (n = 2) during reading time, 10% physically active (n = 1) during lawn games, and 6% physically active (n = 2) during boxing. Conclusion: This observational case study provides an example of how PUPs during the school year may be a helpful tool to encourage weekend PA across communities. Future studies should consider the social environment on youth PA.