Leisure time, physical activity and some indices of mental health.

In the introduction the concept of health is discussed. The author emphasizes that the concept of health is often used in a biased and uncritical manner in discussions on the value of physical activity in relation to health. The practice of physical activity should be seen in relation to a more holistic concept of health, defined as a human being's total ability to function. Results are then presented from a number of investigations, of which the majority indicate a positive relation between physical activity and a reduction in the following indices of mental health: anxiety, depression, nervousness, sleep problems emotional instability and general fatigue. This particularly applies however to persons who at the onset are in especially poor physical and mental condition. In conclusion the results of a nationwide investigation conducted by the author are discussed. The indices of mental health used were sleep problems, nervous disorders and overexertion. Physically active persons over 50 years old have better mental health than physically passive ones. However a corresponding difference was not found in younger age groups. The article attempts to show what we "know" about the relationship between the practice of physical activity and some aspects of mental health.