The association between physical activity and depression in emerging adults: the pathway of subjective exercise experience

The rate of depression among emerging adults in China is concerning. Higher levels of PA were associated with lower levels of depression; the more PA that one engaged in, the better their depression status. Both the amount of PA and the number of subjective exercise experience (PWB, PD, fatigue) were significantly associated with depression. The relationship between PA and depression involved multiple psychological pathways, which were primarily characterized by the mediating role of enhanced PWB experienced during physical activity. This highlights that future exercise interventions should target the enhancement of subjective wellbeing during activity, rather than focusing solely on increasing its volume or intensity.