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By Kate Hunger 

A survey of undergraduate students revealed an association between higher levels of physical activity and positive mental health, according to an article in the American Journal of Health Promotion co-authored by Rocío Norman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor.

“It’s one of the first studies to look at undergraduate athletes and general students and compare them on health-related quality of life,” Norman said. “I think it’s good evidence for having physical activity in your daily life as a college student.”

The online survey of undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison was conducted in the fall of 2016. Survey respondents included 842 Division I student-athletes and 1,322 general undergraduate students. The participating students were placed into the following categories: Division 1 athletes, club athletes, intramural players, students who work out regularly and students who are physically inactive. 

“The survey asked questions about their quality of life and compared their responses,” Norman said.

The survey included the Veterans RAND 12 Item Health Survey, which assesses health-related quality of life and includes physical and mental component scores. 

Norman collaborated on the study with researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned her Ph.D. in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2017.