Summary of studies on physical activity and well-being in prisoners
| First author | Year Country | Study design | Sample size (age, gender) | Intervention/focus | Main results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Observational studies | |||||
| Ortega Vila | 2020 Spain | Cross-sectional | 468 (age: 18–50, 94% male) | To analyze the impact of sports-educational program (football) focusing on its influence on their lives during incarceration | Positive influence on prison experience and potential engagement in sports after release |
| Kosendiak | 2022 Poland | Cross-sectional | 211 (age: 18–65, 100% male) | Dietary habits, diet quality, nutrition knowledge and physical activity in prisoners | No significant correlation between physical activity and dietary habits or nutrition knowledge. Physical activity correlated with age and frequency of energy drink consumption |
| Penado Abilleira | 2023 Spain | Cross-sectional | 509 (age: 35, 70% male) | Impact of sports practice on health | Higher physical and mental health in active inmates; lower anxiety-depressive symptoms |
| Tesler | 2023 Israel | Cross-sectional | 522 (age: 18–60, 85% male) | Health promotion activities and physical activity levels | Most did not meet physical activity recommendations; participation linked to better health |
| Baccon | 2024 Brazil | Cross-sectional | 220 (age: 30–50, 80% male) | Physical activity levels and associated well-being | Identified age and sitting time as predictors of low physical activity |
| Experimental or Quasi_Experimental studies | |||||
| Battaglia | 2015 Italy | Randomized controlled trial | 64 (age: 28, 100% male) | Structured exercise programs (strength and endurance) (9 months) | Significant reduction in depression and anxiety; improved psychological well-being |
| Psychou | 2019 Greece | Randomized controlled trial | 60 (age: 30, 100% male) | Exercise program (6 months) | Improved quality of life and self-esteem in participants |
| MacLean | 2022 UK | Pilot optimization study | 120 (age: 20–45, 95% male) | "Fit for LIFE” lifestyle intervention (10 weeks) | Increased physical activity, reduced sedentary time, improved health behaviors |
| Herold | 2023 Germany | Pretest posttest study | 150 (age: 25–40, 90% male) | Endurance, strength training, martial arts, soccer (varied duration) | Improved interpersonal trust and subjective well-being |
| Experimental yoga studies | |||||
| Harner | 2010 USA | Case crossover feasibility study | 50 (age: 35, 100% female) | Iyengar yoga program (12 weeks) | Decrease in depression and anxiety symptoms among incarcerated women |
| Kerekes | 2019 Sweden | Randomized controlled trial | 111 (age: 32, 100% male) | Yoga intervention (10 weeks) | Improvements in personality profile and self-directedness |
| Gallego | 2023 Spain | Controlled trial | 22 (age: 30, 60% male) | Mindfulness-based interventions (8 weeks) | Significant reduction in stress and depression levels |
| First author | Year | Study design | Sample size (age, gender) | Intervention/focus | Main results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ortega Vila | 2020 | Cross-sectional | 468 (age: 18–50, 94% male) | To analyze the impact of sports-educational program (football) focusing on its influence on their lives during incarceration | Positive influence on prison experience and potential engagement in sports after release |
| Kosendiak | 2022 | Cross-sectional | 211 (age: 18–65, 100% male) | Dietary habits, diet quality, nutrition knowledge and physical activity in prisoners | No significant correlation between physical activity and dietary habits or nutrition knowledge. Physical activity correlated with age and frequency of energy drink consumption |
| Penado Abilleira | 2023 | Cross-sectional | 509 (age: 35, 70% male) | Impact of sports practice on health | Higher physical and mental health in active inmates; lower anxiety-depressive symptoms |
| Tesler | 2023 | Cross-sectional | 522 (age: 18–60, 85% male) | Health promotion activities and physical activity levels | Most did not meet physical activity recommendations; participation linked to better health |
| Baccon | 2024 | Cross-sectional | 220 (age: 30–50, 80% male) | Physical activity levels and associated well-being | Identified age and sitting time as predictors of low physical activity |
| Battaglia | 2015 | Randomized controlled trial | 64 (age: 28, 100% male) | Structured exercise programs (strength and endurance) (9 months) | Significant reduction in depression and anxiety; improved psychological well-being |
| Psychou | 2019 | Randomized controlled trial | 60 (age: 30, 100% male) | Exercise program (6 months) | Improved quality of life and self-esteem in participants |
| MacLean | 2022 | Pilot optimization study | 120 (age: 20–45, 95% male) | "Fit for LIFE” lifestyle intervention (10 weeks) | Increased physical activity, reduced sedentary time, improved health behaviors |
| Herold | 2023 | Pretest posttest study | 150 (age: 25–40, 90% male) | Endurance, strength training, martial arts, soccer (varied duration) | Improved interpersonal trust and subjective well-being |
| Harner | 2010 | Case crossover feasibility study | 50 (age: 35, 100% female) | Iyengar yoga program (12 weeks) | Decrease in depression and anxiety symptoms among incarcerated women |
| Kerekes | 2019 | Randomized controlled trial | 111 (age: 32, 100% male) | Yoga intervention (10 weeks) | Improvements in personality profile and self-directedness |
| Gallego | 2023 | Controlled trial | 22 (age: 30, 60% male) | Mindfulness-based interventions (8 weeks) | Significant reduction in stress and depression levels |