Bruno Kovačević1, Martina Rezic2, Nataša Zenić1
1University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology, Split, Croatia
2University of Mostar, Faculty of Science and Education, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Associations Between Health Literacy and Acute Mood Responses to Recreational Exercise in Older Women
Sport Mont 2026, 24(2), Ahead of Print | DOI: 10.26773/smj.260620
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the association between health literacy (HL) and mood state before, and after recreational physical exercise in older women. The study included 44 community-dwelling women aged 60–80 years (70.5±4.0 years) from Split, Croatia. Mood states were assessed using the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) immediately before and after an organized recreational exercise session conducted in a public park environment. HL was evaluated using the Croatian version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire. The dependent samples t-test indicated significant (p<0.05) changes in mood state following exercise participation, with favorable changes identified for four of six of the BRUMS subscales and the BRUMS total score. Canonical correlation analysis revealed significant associations between HL-subdomains and BRUMS-subscores both before and after exercise participation, with stronger correlations after the exercise session (Can R =0.74 and 0.85, for pre- and post-measurement, respectively). In both measurements, the HL canonical root was primarily defined by understanding-, appraising-, and applying-healthcare-related information, while the BRUMS root was mainly characterized by tension, depression, and confusion. Significant negative correlations were also observed between HL-total and BRUMS-total before (r=0.39, p<0.05) and after exercise (r=0.43, p<0.05). In conclusion, HL may represent an important factor influencing acute post-exercise mood states, with potential implications for exercise adherence and healthy aging.
Keywords
public space, mood, aged, women, physical activity, exercise response
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