Author(s): LIN, S., YANG, Q., YU, H., Institution: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 1288

INTRODUCTION:
Psychological distress is increasingly prevalent among university students and poses a substantial public health burden globally. While moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is consistently associated with better mental health, the magnitude and shape of its dose–response association remain insufficiently characterized in large Asian university populations. This study investigated the graded association between MVPA and psychological distress among Chinese university students.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Tsinghua University, China. A total of 4,172 students (73.8% male) with complete data were included. Mean age was 19.16 ± 1.20 years (range 15–24), and mean BMI was 22.52 ± 3.51 kg/m². MVPA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and categorized into quartiles based on weekly minutes. Psychological distress was measured using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Multivariable logistic regression models estimated adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for age, BMI, sleep duration, and social media use. Linear trend analyses were performed across quartiles.
RESULTS:
Mean MVPA increased progressively across quartiles (Q1: 98.3 ± 57.6; Q2: 197.5 ± 62.9; Q3: 290.3 ± 84.3; Q4: 513.6 ± 217.0 min/week). Mean GHQ-12 scores decreased correspondingly across quartiles (Q1: 2.60 ± 3.11; Q2: 2.01 ± 2.68; Q3: 1.90 ± 2.70; Q4: 1.74 ± 2.66). An overall ANOVA indicated significant differences in GHQ-12 scores across MVPA quartiles (p < 0.001). The prevalence of psychological distress declined from 36.9% in Q1 to 23.1% in Q4 (p for trend < 0.001). After multivariable adjustment, compared with Q1, the odds of psychological distress were reduced by 18% in Q2 (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.69–0.97), 32% in Q3 (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.57–0.82), and 49% in Q4 (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.41–0.62). A significant inverse linear dose–response relationship was observed (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION:
Higher MVPA levels were independently associated with progressively lower psychological distress in a clear graded manner. Students in the highest MVPA quartile exhibited nearly half the odds of distress compared with those in the lowest quartile. These findings highlight the potential mental health benefits of promoting higher volumes of MVPA within university populations. Prospective and mechanistic studies are warranted to clarify causal pathways and optimal activity thresholds.