The longitudinal relationships among physical activity

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the future-work section and limitations and recommendations of the source papers, classified as general, spanning 2 journals.

Supporting evidence — 3 representative gaps

• Physical activity, regulatory emotional self-efficacy, and suicidal ideation in adolescents: a variable-centered and person-centered approach (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi

  Future studies should investigate the longitudinal relationships among physical activity, regulatory emotional self-efficacy, and suicidal ideation. Future studies should explore the effectiveness of interventions that promote physical activity and regulatory emotional self-efficacy among adolescents.

  generalfuture-work section
  Keywords: future studies investigate longitudinal relationships among physical activity
• Dose–response relationship between physical activity and mental health outcomes in adolescents (2026) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi

  Several limitations should be considered. First, the findings may not be fully generalizable, as the sample was drawn from a single region in Shanghai, China, which may not represent the broader population. Second, the cross-sectional design limited the ability to draw causal infer- ences between physical activity and mental health outcomes. Third, self- reported physical activity data may introduce recall and reporting biases, as participants may overestimate their activity levels due to social desir- ability, potentially affecting the accuracy and reliability of the results. Therefore, future research should further explore the complex relation- ship between physical activity and mental health outcomes. Longitudinal studies with randomized sampling are needed to validate these findings. adolescents, including low stress perception and higher psychological resilience and self-efficacy. The observed dose–response relationship suggests that the greater benefits are seen in adolescents with lower levels of physical activity. These findings emphasize the importance of promoting physical activity not only as a means of improving physical health but also as a preventive strategy for mental health problems. To maximize public health impact, policymakers and educators should prioritize the development of supportive environments and programs that encourage adolescent engagement in physical activity, especially among those who are least active. Tailored interventions that foster interest and remove barriers to participation are essential for improving adolescent well-being, a foundation for lifelong mental health.

  generallimitationsevidence 5/5
  Keywords: physical activity health mental ability outcomes self levels adolescents improving adolescent several limitations considered first
• Physical activity and nicotine dependence among female college smokers: a serial mediation model of smoking refusal self-efficacy and smokers’ identity identification (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi

  Social Level: Tentative Implications for a “Sports-Smoking Control” Collaborative Framework. Based on the observed indirect associations through which physical activity is linked to lower nico- tine dependence via smoking refusal self-efficacy and smoker identity, it may be useful to consider integrating physical activity promotion and smoking control education into adolescent health policies. Primary health institutions could consider offering exercise guidance and group-based support for smoking refusal self-efficacy, drawing on the principle that exercise-induced “behavioral empowerment” may transfer to smoking refusal beliefs (National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, 2017). Simultaneously, scientific dis- semination through authoritative media about the benefits of exercise for self-control could help reduce social perceptions that normalize smoking and weaken environmental triggers for smoker identity, potentially fostering a more supportive social ecology for health behaviors. University Level: Tentative Implications for Campus-Based Interventions. As a core environment for identity development, uni- versities may consider designing interventions through curricula and student organizations. Physical education courses could include mod- ules that use team sports and endurance activities to cultivate “behav- ioral mastery experiences” (Zhang, 2013), combined with smoking refusal scenario simulations to enhance self-efficacy in social situa- tions. Fitness clubs and smoking control associations might collabo- rate on activities that help students integrate the “sports participant” identity with a “non-smoker” identity. Such group interactions may strengthen self-cognitive consistency and facilitate the deconstruction of smoker identity, potentially targeting key psychological nodes in the pathway. Family Level: Tentative Implications for Family Support. Family environments may indirectly influence these psychological processes

  generalrecommendationsevidence 5/5
  Keywords: smoking identity self social control refusal smoker health level tentative implications sports based physical efficacy

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