ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ANXIETY SYMPTOMATOLOGY IN MALES DURING EMERGING ADULTHOOD

The Aim. The study aimed to assess the association between physical activity (in the domains of leisure, sport and leisure) and anxiety sypmtomatology in a cohort of male students from Lithuanian higher education institutions during emerging adulthood.Methods. In 2024, an analytical cross-sectional study in design was carried out by applying the confidential survey method. The study sample consisted of males (n = 232) aged 18–29 who studied at Lithuanian higher education institutions. In order to investigate anxiety and depressive symptoms as well as physical activity habits, the study battery consisted of two questionnaires. More specifically, both the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire (BPAQ) were applied to assess mental health outcomes and physical activity in male students.Results. According to the expression of depressive and anxiety symptoms, the average scores for both HADS-A and HADS-D scales were 9.2 ± 4.8 and 6.2 ± 4.0, respectively. Clinically relevant symptoms of anxiety (39.2%) and depression (15.9%) were reported in a sample of male students. The association between increased levels of physical activity in sport area and the decreased development of clinically relevant anxiety symptoms in a cohort of young male students (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.6, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.1-6.6, p = 0.038) was established. In young adult males, the expression of anxiety symptoms was not related to physical activity levels in the working environment (AOR 1.0, 95% CI: 0.5-2.2, p = 0.900) and leisure environment (AOR 1.7, 95% CI: 0.8-3.6, p = 0.155).Conclusions. More than one third of males studying at Lithuanian higher education institutions experienced clinically relevant anxiety symptoms during emerging adulthood. Public Health professionals are recommended to focus on monitoring mental health outcomes among emerging adulthoods, promoting mental health literacy and developing physical activity habits depending on specific sports areas. For strengthening mental health of young adults, forward-looking research vectors should be further oriented to explore the more accurate potential benefits of green spaces for eco-sport.