Derecho

Salud Mental 2011;34:45-52 física durante el tiempo libre y su relación con algunos indicadores de salud mental
Actividad

Actividad física durante el tiempo libre y su relación
con algunosindicadores de salud mental en España
Ernesto de la Cruz-Sánchez,1 Maria Isabel Moreno-Contreras,1
José Pino-Ortega,1 Raúl Martínez-Santos2
Artículo original

SUMMARY
Introduction
An activelifestyle, characterized by a regular pattern of leisure time
physical activity along the lifespan, improves cognitive functioning
and mental health. To join in sports activities or exercise programs isassociated with a better quality of life, and people who engage in
these activities show not only a better physical fitness, but a better
psychological and emotional wellbeing. An active lifestyleprovides
an apparent protective effect against the incidence of disorders such
as anxiety or depression. However, in this regard, the dose-response
in terms of what type, amount, duration andintensity of physical
activity is necessary for achieving improvements has not been well
established in studies with large samples.
Objetives
The aim of this study is to provide evidence that, from adescriptive
point of view, shows the association between different indicators of mental
health in the Spanish adult population and leisure time physical activity
practice, also assessing the level ofthis leisure time physical activity.
Methods
Data were obtained from the last Spanish National Health Survey, a
cross-sectional study conducted by the Ministry of Health and Social
Policy Institutefor Health Information-Spain, between June 2006 and
June 2007. The sample was representative of the Spanish adult
population. Persons over 16 years took part in this study, being the
referencepopulation available in the last official census (January 1,
2006). A total of 29 478 persons (11 645 men and 17 833 women,
older than 16 years) were interviewed using the National Health Survey...