Is regular physical activity a key to mental health? Commentary on "Association between physical exercise and mental health in 1.2 million individuals in the USA between 2011 and 2015:A cross-sectional study",by Chekroud et al.,published in Lancet Psychiat

The recent publication by Chekroud et al . in Lancet Psychiatry focuses on the relationship between physical exercise and mental health.Mental health is defined as optimal personal functioning "resulting in productive activities,fulfilling relationships with other people,and the ability to adapt to change and to cope with adversity".(p.4) Recently,mental health has no longer been described as a dichotomous state but as a continuum,with personal mental states ranging from highly functional to mentally ill.