Evidence mapPaperPMID 39851445Full record

ReviewBrain sciences2025

Relationship Between Sedentary Lifestyle, Physical Activity and Stress in University Students and Their Life Habits: A Scoping Review with PRISMA Checklist (PRISMA-ScR).

Mariasole Antonietta Guerriero, Anna Dipace, Antonietta Monda, Antonella De Maria, Rita Polito, Giovanni Messina, Marcellino Monda, Marilena di Padova, Angelo Basta, Maria Ruberto and 3 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Brain sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 36 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
36citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

36 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

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  8. Time to Address Eating Disorder Risk Among Medical Students.Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Mariasole Antonietta GuerrieroDepartment of Humanistic Studies, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy.ORCID 0009-0008-7910-0886
Anna DipaceDepartment of Psychology and Education, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9826-073X
Antonietta MondaDepartment of Human Science and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele Telematic University, 00166 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0009-0009-8422-3837
Antonella De MariaDepartment of Education and Sport Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy.
Rita PolitoDepartment of Psychology and Health Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy.
Giovanni MessinaDepartment of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetics and Sports Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.
Marcellino MondaDepartment of Experimental Medicine, Section of Human Physiology and Unit of Dietetics and Sports Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138 Naples, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-7184-218X
Marilena di PadovaDepartment of Humanistic Studies, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-2105-7095
Angelo BastaDepartment of Humanistic Studies, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy.ORCID 0009-0008-3954-997X
Maria RubertoDepartment of Education and Sport Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy.ORCID 0009-0003-9583-9203
Emanuele CapassoDepartment of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Napoli "Federico II", 80138 Naples, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-9907-9078
Fiorenzo MoscatelliDepartment of Education and Sport Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-1274-0332
Pierpaolo LimoneDepartment of Psychology and Education, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-3852-4005

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The global prevalence of sedentary lifestyles and the associated health risks, such as cardiovascular, metabolic and mental issues, is an epidemic worldwide problem, particularly in the university population. BACKGROUND/

objectivesUniversity students are particularly vulnerable because of academic pressure and lifestyle changes. Despite the well-known benefits of physical activity in reducing mental stress and improving physical and mental well-being, the literature lacks effective interventions and standardized protocols for this population. This study aims to investigate the state of the art in literature regarding the correlation between the use of physical activity as a means of prevention and intervention and the effects on university students' stress and mental well-being.

methodsA scoping review was conducted using the PRISMA protocol for scoping reviews, targeting university population with specific terms.

resultsThe review analyzed 61 articles and identified a consistent positive correlation between physical activity and stress reduction. Interventions included yoga, tai chi, aerobic exercise and moderate- or high-intensity exercise. A lack of standardized protocols were also evident.

conclusionsPhysical activity is an effective means for managing stress and improving mental well-being among university students. An integrated approach combining different forms of exercise and strategies to regulate emotions could provide very effective effects on the mental well-being of students. Universities should propose physical activity programs in several forms to enable students to choose the most appropriate one and keep them active.

Indexed as

college studentsmental well-beingperceived stressphysical activityphysical exercisestressuniversity students

Identifiers

PMID39851445
PMCPMC11763463

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.