Enhancing mental health: Effects of exercise on social well-being and social ill-being

The impact of the social environment on health seems to be particularly important under difficult environmental conditions (e.g. Space flight). This chapter presents three studies evaluating the moderating function of social relationships and competitive settings on the impact of the social environment in the context of exercise on social well-being and ill-being. In general, these studies indicate that activities aiming at increasing social well-being and decreasing social ill-being can be cooperative or competitive in nature. However, competitive exercise activities should only be conducted if the relationship between the involved individuals is already positive before the competition takes place. Future studies need to test whether the existing exercise facilities in Space flight (e.g. ergometers, steppers) can actually be used for an increase in social well-being.