Navigating exercise attitudes and emotional positivity in adulthood during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Shandong Province

IntroductionDuring the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding public attitudes and emotional responses towards physical exercise became crucial. This study aimed to explore the relationship between positive emotions and attitudes towards physical exercise among adults in Shandong Province, Ch...

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Main Authors: Ran Meng, Chen Dong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1472541/full
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author Ran Meng
Chen Dong
author_facet Ran Meng
Chen Dong
author_sort Ran Meng
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionDuring the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding public attitudes and emotional responses towards physical exercise became crucial. This study aimed to explore the relationship between positive emotions and attitudes towards physical exercise among adults in Shandong Province, China, and to identify the influence of demographic factors such as gender, age, and education levels on these attitudes and emotions.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 404 adults in Shandong Province, China. Data were collected through surveys that assessed participants’ attitudes towards physical exercise and their emotional positivity. Quantitative analysis was performed to examine the correlations and differences based on demographic variables, including gender, age, and education levels.ResultsA robust positive correlation was found between positive emotions and attitudes towards physical exercise, with an emotional positivity ratio of 2.01±1.38% among respondents. Significant differences in attitudes and emotional positivity were observed based on demographic factors. Specifically, male participants had a higher mean score in behavioral intention and control compared to females. Older adults (>41 years) demonstrated more positive exercise attitudes, with a higher total score of 4.05 ± 0.54 compared to younger age groups. Additionally, respondents with a graduate degree and above reported the highest emotional positivity rate, outpacing those with lower educational levels.DiscussionThe findings indicate that demographic factors, including gender, age, and education levels, play a crucial role in shaping attitudes and emotional responses towards exercise, especially during a global health crisis. These insights highlight the importance of considering demographic differences when promoting physical exercise and designing public health interventions. Future research should further explore the underlying mechanisms and potential interventions to enhance positive attitudes and emotional responses towards physical exercise across diverse populations.
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spelling doaj-art-9e7d07eb40cc4d09876162f9ebf2b67b2025-08-20T02:13:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-02-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.14725411472541Navigating exercise attitudes and emotional positivity in adulthood during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Shandong ProvinceRan Meng0Chen Dong1School of Sports Leisure, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, ChinaSchool of Sports Management, Shandong Sport University, Jinan, ChinaIntroductionDuring the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding public attitudes and emotional responses towards physical exercise became crucial. This study aimed to explore the relationship between positive emotions and attitudes towards physical exercise among adults in Shandong Province, China, and to identify the influence of demographic factors such as gender, age, and education levels on these attitudes and emotions.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 404 adults in Shandong Province, China. Data were collected through surveys that assessed participants’ attitudes towards physical exercise and their emotional positivity. Quantitative analysis was performed to examine the correlations and differences based on demographic variables, including gender, age, and education levels.ResultsA robust positive correlation was found between positive emotions and attitudes towards physical exercise, with an emotional positivity ratio of 2.01±1.38% among respondents. Significant differences in attitudes and emotional positivity were observed based on demographic factors. Specifically, male participants had a higher mean score in behavioral intention and control compared to females. Older adults (>41 years) demonstrated more positive exercise attitudes, with a higher total score of 4.05 ± 0.54 compared to younger age groups. Additionally, respondents with a graduate degree and above reported the highest emotional positivity rate, outpacing those with lower educational levels.DiscussionThe findings indicate that demographic factors, including gender, age, and education levels, play a crucial role in shaping attitudes and emotional responses towards exercise, especially during a global health crisis. These insights highlight the importance of considering demographic differences when promoting physical exercise and designing public health interventions. Future research should further explore the underlying mechanisms and potential interventions to enhance positive attitudes and emotional responses towards physical exercise across diverse populations.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1472541/fullphysical exercise attitudesemotional positivityCOVID-19 pandemicdemographic influenceshealth behaviors
spellingShingle Ran Meng
Chen Dong
Navigating exercise attitudes and emotional positivity in adulthood during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Shandong Province
Frontiers in Psychology
physical exercise attitudes
emotional positivity
COVID-19 pandemic
demographic influences
health behaviors
title Navigating exercise attitudes and emotional positivity in adulthood during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Shandong Province
title_full Navigating exercise attitudes and emotional positivity in adulthood during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Shandong Province
title_fullStr Navigating exercise attitudes and emotional positivity in adulthood during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Shandong Province
title_full_unstemmed Navigating exercise attitudes and emotional positivity in adulthood during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Shandong Province
title_short Navigating exercise attitudes and emotional positivity in adulthood during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from Shandong Province
title_sort navigating exercise attitudes and emotional positivity in adulthood during the covid 19 pandemic evidence from shandong province
topic physical exercise attitudes
emotional positivity
COVID-19 pandemic
demographic influences
health behaviors
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1472541/full
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