Physical activity reduces mental health burden in adults with a history of adverse childhood experiences.

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACES) are associated with health issues that can persist into adulthood including mental disorders, behavioral problems, and suicide. Physical activity (PA) is a potential tool in response to these burdens as it is profoundly beneficial for mental health. AIMS: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between PA and mental health in adults with one or more ACEs. METHODS: Using the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we evaluated the relationship between ACEs, days of poor mental health and PA in a sample of adults (N = 54,251), adjusted for age, sex, race, and education. RESULTS: ACE scores were positively related to poor mental health. Adults who reported non-work-related PA showed a significant reduction in the odds of poor mental health (AOR: 0.60; CI: 0.50-0.70). PA appeared to reduce the odds of poor mental health by 31%, even in those with the highest ACE scores. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that being physically active as an adult can significantly reduce the frequency of poor mental health, even in those with significant childhood adversity. Future research should continue to explore the role of PA in both the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders across the lifespan.