Catherine Cook
Article Review
18 June 2008
"The association between exercise participation and well-being: a co-twin study"
J. H. Stubbe, M. H. M. de Moor, D. I. Boomsma, and E. J. C. de Geus
Preventive Medicine, Volume 44, Issue 2
February 2007
The researchers studied the question of whether leisure-time exercise participation increased well being, including feelings of life satisfaction and happiness. They also wanted to know the exact cause of life satisfaction and happiness; whether genetic or environmental factors were involved, and whether the exercise itself caused the increased well being.
In this study, researchers used questionnaires at the start and end of a six-month period to obtain information about exercise and well being from over 8000 subjects in the Netherlands Twin Registry. They studied monozygotic twin pairs and dizygotic twin and sibling pairs and their siblings, parents, and spouses. They also compared responses of people according to gender and age. The cognitive component of life-satisfaction and the affective component of happiness were measured separately using a series of statements to which subjects responded on a scale of how strongly they agree or disagree in evaluating their lives.
The researchers used several controls in this study. They compared twins to each other and to other siblings, and unrelated individuals to each other. They compared questionnaire responses at the beginning and end of a six-month period to determine whether the levels of exercise and well being continued long-term. They also compared answers of family members to see if they were all giving the same answers instead of evaluating themselves personally. One factor that they should have included in the controls is the strong bond between family members which gives support and encouragement to succeed in life, including exercise, and doing other things which lead to life satisfaction and happiness. They seemed to only consider genetic factors and shared family factors of parental rearing, socioeconomic status, and neighborhood. A study of each person’s motivation in life and sources of love and support would have been helpful in finding the cause of life satisfaction and happiness. Also left out was a study of whether each person had been taught how to exercise properly, and how to develop well being. Also, questioning each person as to how they measure their own life satisfaction and happiness would reveal which factors they consider to be most important in personal well being.
The results of the study were that exercise is correlated with increased life satisfaction and happiness, and also that monozygotic twins discordant for exercise participation were very unified in their self-evaluations of well being. Dizygotic twins discordant for exercise participation were less unified, and unrelated people, exercisers vs. nonexercisers, were not unified in their evaluations of well being. The researchers concluded that exercise does not directly cause life satisfaction and happiness, but is correlated with them. They further concluded that life satisfaction, happiness, and exercise participation are mediated by genetic factors. The researchers recommended in-depth genetic investigation into the matter. Their conclusions can benefit society by affirming that leisure-time exercise participation is correlated with increased well being, including life satisfaction and happiness.
This study had many components that are of good quality, including the finding that exercise is a factor, but not the only factor, in finding life satisfaction and happiness. However, I believe the final conclusion to be incorrect and not of much value to society. Stating that exercise participation, life satisfaction, and happiness are mediated by underlying genetic factors overlooks each person’s education, intelligence, personal choices, and supportive relationships with others. The conclusion of the researchers may not encourage people to exercise regularly or give them hope in developing life satisfaction and happiness.