Muscle-Strengthening Exercise Intensity as a Predictor of Mental Well-Being among Regular Exercisers in Makurdi Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

Exercise is widely recognized as a cornerstone of mental well-being, yet public health messaging often emphasizes how frequently and how long people exercise, while giving less attention to the intensity of muscle-strengthening exercise (MSE). This overlooked dimension may have important implications for psychological well-being. Against this background, the study investigated the extent to which muscle-strengthening exercise intensity predicts mental well- being among regular exercisers in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research design was used, drawing on the entire population of 286 registered exercisers across three gyms and three fitness centers. Intensity of five MSEs (push-ups, pull-ups, squats, crunches, dumbbell rows) was measured using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion scale, and mental well-being using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale. Data were analysed using mean, frequency, percentage, Pearson correlation, and simple linear regression at p ≤ .05. Intensity across all five exercises was generally moderate (means 3.36-3.74 on the Borg-based scale). Intensity of MSE significantly predicted mental well-being (p < .001), with the strongest positive associations found for push-ups (r = .220), squats (r = .217), and crunches (r = .195); pull-ups showed a weak negative correlation (r = -0.048), while dumbbell rows (r = -0.032) showed very weak correlation. The study proves that intensity, rather than mere participation, is the active ingredient linking muscle-strengthening exercise to mental well-being, and recommends that exercise therapists and fitness trainers should design exercise programmes that focus on increasing workout intensity emphasize and implement regardless of exercise type, to reinforce positive mental well-being regular exercisers. This can be achieved through periodic workshops, safety drills, and awareness campaigns.