Thøgersen-Ntoumani, Cecilie and Fox, Kenneth R and Ntoumanis, Nikos (2005) Relationships between exercise and three components of mental well-being in corporate employees. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 6 (6). pp. 609-627. ISSN 1469-0292
URL of Published Version: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=MImg&_imagekey=B6W6K-4FJD95P-1-1&_cdi=6601&_user=122868&_pii=S1469029205000142&_orig=browse&_coverDate=11%2F30%2F2005&_sk=999939993&view=c&wchp=dGLzVzb-zSkzS&md5=2f02ad3db19e9857d64ff7ebe78e433c&ie=/sdarticle.pdf
Identification Number/DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2004.12.004
Objectives: The main purpose of the present study was to examine the relationships between exercise participation
and three components of mental well-being (physical self, work-related, and global) in a sample of corporate employees. As a subsidiary and exploratory question, we also examined whether these well-being components are
more strongly related to structured exercise participation scores compared to total levels of physical activity.
Design: Cross-sectional survey. Method: The participants were 312 employees from an information technology company (nZ204 males and nZ108 females). Structural equation modelling was used to examine links between exercise participation and the three well-being components within a hierarchical framework, featuring global well-being constructs at the apex and specific elements of well-being at lower levels.
Results: Support was found for the a priori model in that there were direct paths from exercise to physical self
and enthusiasm at work. Furthermore, there were indirect paths between exercise and global well-being components through measures of the physical self and enthusiasm at work. The results of an alternative model using physical activity as opposed to exercise were generally similar.
Conclusion: The support found for the exercise and well-being model indicates that exercise is associated directly and indirectly with high well-being in various facets of employees’ lives. Thus, this study extends previous research that has examined associations between exercise and isolated indicators of employee well-being. Finally, the results pertaining to physical activity suggest that workplace exercise promotion programmes should
incorporate and promote lifestyle physical activity.
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