Physical activity and wellbeing among pre-service helping professionals: the role of lifestyle in a Hungarian university sample

Abstract

Physical activity is widely assumed to contribute to psychological wellbeing; however, this relationship may reflect broader lifestyle patterns rather than a direct causal effect. This cross-sectional study examined physical activity levels, subjective wellbeing, and their predictors in a sample of 1,109 pre-service students enrolled in helping-profession programs (special education, infant and early childhood education, pre-school education, and social education) at the University of Debrecen, Hungary. Data were collected using an online questionnaire assessing physical activity habits, wellbeing, dietary behavior, sleep, and motivational factors. Hierarchical multiple regression models were used to analyze predictors of weekly physical activity and wellbeing. Physical activity did not independently predict wellbeing after lifestyle variables were controlled. Instead, wellbeing was predicted by daily vegetable consumption, enjoyment of university physical education, motivator count, sleep adequacy, financial situation, and attention to healthy eating. Physical activity volume was predicted by perceived importance of physical activity, work intensity, and barrier count. Part-time students who combined work and study reported higher physical activity levels and better wellbeing than full-time students. The findings suggest that wellbeing in this population is associated more strongly with coherent lifestyle patterns than with physical activity volume alone.