How Playing Sports With Friends Helps Older People Feel Happier
Social physical activity and sedentary behaviour as key determinants of humour expression and loneliness in older adults: a cross-sectional study using bayesian variable selection approach
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Sedentary behaviour was linked to lower use of *all* humour styles—including negative ones like sarcasm or self-put-downs.
Most people assume only 'positive' traits suffer from inactivity, but even cynical or aggressive humour—often seen as automatic or defensive—declined with more sitting. This implies deep cognitive effects.
Practical Takeaways
Join a walking group, dance class, or recreational sport with friends instead of exercising alone.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Sedentary behaviour was linked to lower use of *all* humour styles—including negative ones like sarcasm or self-put-downs.
Most people assume only 'positive' traits suffer from inactivity, but even cynical or aggressive humour—often seen as automatic or defensive—declined with more sitting. This implies deep cognitive effects.
Practical Takeaways
Join a walking group, dance class, or recreational sport with friends instead of exercising alone.
Publication
Journal
BMC Public Health
Year
2026
Authors
Keishi Soga, Akari Uno, Takuji Kawamura, Keita Kamijo, Yasuyuki Taki
Related Content
Claims (5)
When older adults exercise together, it can help them feel less lonely — and part of why this works is because they use upbeat, friendly humor to connect with each other.
Older adults who exercise or play sports with friends tend to use more positive, relationship-building humour and feel better mentally, according to a study of over 5,000 Japanese people aged 65 to 84.
Sitting too much every day might make it harder for older Japanese adults to use humor in social situations, no matter what kind of humor they usually use.
Older adults who exercise or play sports with friends tend to feel less lonely — and this is true both for those doing it now and those who did it in the past.
For older adults, being more physically active might help reduce feelings of depression — and part of why it works could be because it leads to more socializing.