Physical Activity Impact on Health-Related Quality of Life

Physical activity is increasingly recognised as a key determinant of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), encompassing physical functioning, psychosocial well-being and overall life satisfaction. Across the life course, regular engagement in moderate to vigorous activity contributes to enhanced cardiovascular fitness, musculoskeletal strength and metabolic health, while also reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Evidence suggests a dose–response relationship in which greater frequency, intensity or duration of activity yields progressively larger improvements in HRQoL, although thresholds vary by age, health status and activity domain. Organised sports, active transport and leisure play distinct roles in shaping both the physical and psychological dimensions of quality of life. Conversely, prolonged sedentary behaviour and excessive screen time are associated with declines in HRQoL, an effect that may be ameliorated by targeted interventions. Community and school-based programmes that integrate fundamental movement skill development, structured exercise and behavioural support have demonstrated effectiveness in sustaining long-term benefits. Collectively, this body of research underlines the global significance of physical activity promotion as a cost-effective strategy to enhance well-being across populations.

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Physical Activity Impact on Health-Related Quality of Life publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in physical activity impact on health-related quality of life across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL): A multidimensional construct capturing an individual’s perception of physical, psychological and social functioning as influenced by health status and interventions.

Fundamental movement skills (FMS): Foundational motor patterns—such as running, jumping and throwing—that underpin more complex physical activities and contribute to overall fitness and confidence.

Muscle quality index (MQI): A composite measure of muscle strength relative to muscle mass, used to assess functional capacity and its relation to health outcomes.

Cardiorespiratory fitness: The ability of the circulatory and respiratory systems to supply oxygen during sustained physical activity, often indexed by maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max).

Domain-specific activity composition: The relative distribution of time spent in different kinds of physical activity—organised sport, informal play, active transport and chores—which may differentially affect health and quality of life.

References

1. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of domain-specific physical activity composition with health-related quality of life in childhood and adolescence in Australia. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity (2023).
2. The Mediating Role of the Muscle Quality Index in the Relation of Screen Time and Abdominal Obesity with Health-Related Quality of Life in Chilean Schoolchildren. Nutrients (2023).
3. Effects of fundamental movement skills on health-related quality of life in Chinese school-age children: the mediating role of physical fitness level. Frontiers in Public Health (2023).