The Biopsychosocial Health Model Differentiates Long‐Term Exercisers From Non‐Exercisers: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: ABSTRACT Background and Aims The biopsychosocial (BPS) model considers that health and behavioral outcomes result from the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. Regular exercise is an essential component of modern‐day healthy living. All three factors in the BPS model are related to long‐term exercise. Therefore, this cross‐sectional study aimed to compare adults exercising regularly for at least 3 years with their non‐exercising counterparts on perceived health and stress (antagonistic, biopsychological), life satisfaction (psychological), and perceived income (psychosocial) while controlling for age, gender, and education level. Methods Participants were 461 Hungarian volunteers (74.83% female) aged 18−73 years. There were 274 regular exercisers and 187 non‐exercisers. They completed the study on the Qualtrics research platform. Results A statistically significant (p < 0.001) multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that long‐term exercisers scored lower on perceived stress and higher on perceived health, income, and life satisfaction than non‐exercising adults. Consequently, the three factors of the BPS model differentiated the groups. Still, the effect sizes were relatively small. Finally, perceived stress was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) mediator of life satisfaction. Conclusion These findings support the idea that long‐term exercise behavior can be studied via the BPS model and the role of stress in life satisfaction. The results have practical implications for promoting a healthy and satisfactory life targeting multi‐level development through exercise based on the BPS model.
Source: Health Science Reports
DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.70476
Authors: Liza Komáromi, Angéla Somogyi, Attila Szabo
Institutions: Eötvös Loránd University, Széchenyi István University
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,280
OpenAlex ID: W4407799042