Mental Health and Physical Activity

Aims & Scope

Mental Health and Physical Activity is an international forum for scholarly reports on any aspect of relevance to advancing our understanding of the relationship between mental health and physical activity.

Manuscripts will be considered for publication which deal with high quality research, comprehensive research reviews, and critical reflection of applied or research issues.

The journal is open to the use of diverse methodological approaches.

Reports of practice will need to demonstrate academic rigour, preferably through analysis of programme effectiveness, and go beyond mere description.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	2.6
2024	2.30

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	1.019

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q2

h-index

Year	Value
2024	50

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	4680

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	445

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science
• Embase

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Medicine and Psychology, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Physical activity and depression, anxiety, and self-esteem in children and youth: An umbrella systematic review

  Citation: 262

  Authors: Leila Pfaeffli, Leigh, Sarah, Guy

• Mental health and movement behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in UK university students: Prospective cohort study

  Citation: 253

  Authors: Matthew J., Ruth, Daniele, James, Laura C., Mary, Philip J.

• Do we need physical activity guidelines for mental health: What does the evidence tell us?

  Citation: 229

  Authors: Megan, Rhiannon L., Justin, Felipe B., Simon, Jason A.

• Physical activity and mental performance in preadolescents: Effects of acute exercise on free-recall memory

  Citation: 213

  Authors: Caterina, Claudia, Lucio, Rita, Mario

• Walking for depression or depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis

  Citation: 187

  Authors: Roma, Ann, Ruth, Margaret

• The relationship between physical activity and mental health in a sample of the UK public: A cross-sectional study during the implementation of COVID-19 social distancing measures

  Citation: 174

  Authors: Louis, Mark A., Yvonne, Guillermo F., Laurie, Felipe, Rubén, Daragh, Joseph, Igor, Anita, Nicola, Timothy, Lee

• Lessons in exercise neurobiology: The case of endorphins

  Citation: 166

  Authors: Rod K., Patrick J.

• Revenge of the “sit” II: Does lifestyle impact neuronal and cognitive health through distinct mechanisms associated with sedentary behavior and physical activity?

  Citation: 126

  Authors: Michelle W., Lucas J., Rachel, Timothy

• A pilot study of aerobic exercise as an adjunctive treatment for drug dependence

  Citation: 126

  Authors: Richard A., Ana M., Jennifer P., Bess H., John, David R., Julie R., Susan E., Christopher W., Gregory L., Mary Ella, Alan A.

• Association between objectively-measured physical activity and sleep, NHANES 2005–2006

  Citation: 123

  Authors: Paul D., Bradley J.

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