Date

6-17-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Adrian Rus

Keywords

mental health, depression, exercise, treatment for depression, Vo2Max, BRFSS, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, exercise for mental health

Disciplines

Psychiatry and Psychology | Psychology

Abstract

Mental health conditions are one of the leading contributors to the global burden of disease. Despite advancements in mental health therapies and psychiatric medications, significant numbers of patients continue to struggle with mental illness. Despite these challenges, exercise can serve as a powerful tool to address mental health concerns. Current literature has referenced the value of physical fitness to support mental health, however there is limited large-scale research assessing the estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2Max) as a predictor of poor mental health days. In response, this quantitative secondary analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between estimated VO2Max and poor mental health days with consideration of biopsychosocial covariates.

A hierarchical ordinal logistic regression analysis, conducted in four cumulative steps, and a simple mediation analysis were performed using data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS; N = 433,324), a large nationally representative sample of U.S adults. Results revealed a counterintuitive relationship between estimated VO2Max and poor mental health days, after controlling for sociodemographic and baseline health covariates, where increased levels of fitness were associated with a higher number of poor mental health days. Findings from the study highlight the importance of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual treatments for good mental health and overall well-being, consistent with the biopsychosocial spiritual (BPSS) model.

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