PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF EXERCISE INTENSITY ON WELL-BEING OF EXERCISERS IN PORT HARCOURT METROPOLIS

Abstract

Exercise is well-documented for its physical health benefits, yet the specific influence of exercise intensity on psychological well-being remains underexplored, particularly within African urban contexts. This study investigates the psychological effects of varying exercise intensities on the well-being of adult exercisers in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria. Employing a cross-sectional design, 300 regular exercisers from gyms, parks, and fitness clubs were purposively sampled. Participants self-reported their typical exercise intensity (low, moderate, or high) and completed the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) to assess positive mental health outcomes. Descriptive statistics characterized the sample, while one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post-hoc tests examined differences in psychological well-being across intensity groups. Qualitative thematic analysis explored sociocultural and environmental factors influencing mental health outcomes. Results indicated that moderate-intensity exercisers reported significantly higher psychological well-being scores (M = 54.3, SD = 6.2) compared to both low- (M = 48.7, SD = 7.1) and high-intensity groups (M = 50.1, SD = 6.8), with ANOVA confirming significant differences (F(2, 297) = 18.47, p < 0.001). Post-hoc analysis revealed moderate intensity significantly outperformed other groups, while low and high intensities did not differ significantly. Qualitative findings highlighted the importance of social interaction and environmental accessibility as key moderators of exercise-related psychological benefits in the urban Nigerian context. The study concludes that moderate-intensity exercise optimally enhances psychological well-being among exercisers in Port Harcourt. Public health strategies should therefore promote accessible, socially supportive moderate-intensity physical activities to improve urban mental health. These findings contribute to culturally relevant exercise recommendations for Nigerian urban populations and inform future intervention designs