Meaning in life is associated consistently with greater self-reported physical activity. The present research sought to replicate this association with the largest sample to date with objectively measured physical activity. Participants between the ages of 40 and 70 years old from the UK Biobank (N = 67,038) wore an accelerometer for up to seven days and reported on their meaning in life. Higher meaning was associated with greater engagement in physical activity, an association robust across age, gender, and education. It remained significant accounting for body mass index, depression, and relative deprivation. Further, for every 1-point increase in meaning in life, there was a 14% increase in likelihood of being in the top quartile of physical activity (OR = 1.14, 95% confidence interval = 1.11, 1.16, p < .001) and a 10% increase in likelihood of engaging in vigorous activity (OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.15, p < .001). Physical activity may be one behavioral mechanism that links meaning in life to better health outcomes.

生活的意义始终与自我报告的更多体力活动相关。目前的研究试图用迄今为止最大的样本和客观测量的身体活动来复制这种关联。来自英国生物银行的年龄在 40 至 70 岁之间的参与者 (N = 67,038) 佩戴加速度计长达 7 天，并报告了他们的生活意义。更高的意义与更多地参与体育活动有关，这种关联在年龄、性别和教育背景上都存在。它仍然对体重指数、抑郁和相对剥夺有重要影响。此外，生活意义每增加 1 分，进入体力活动前四分之一的可能性就会增加 14%（OR = 1.14，95% 置信区间 = 1.11, 1.16，p < .001），并且从事剧烈活动的可能性增加 10%（OR = 1.10，95% CI = 1.06, 1.15，p < .001）。身体活动可能是将生活意义与更好的健康结果联系起来的一种行为机制。