According to a new study highlighting emotional benefits of exercise is a much better way of boosting physical activity than focusing on traditional health benefits.

"There is evidence that people who believe that physical activity is enjoyable and fun are more likely to engage in sports and exercise," said Reema Sirriyeh, from the University of Leeds who conducted the study with associates.

Reema further added," We investigated whether highlighting the emotional benefits of sport and exercise to young people increased their levels of physical activity, more than highlighting the physical health benefits."

Recruited from the sixth forms of four schools in West Yorkshire, 128 participants, aged between 16 and 19 years took part in the study.

All participants received a daily text message at 4 p.m. for a period of two weeks. Some received text messages that highlighted either the emotional benefits of exercise - such as 'Physical activity can make you feel cheerful. What activity will you do today?'

A second group received texts that highlighted the physical benefits, such as - 'Physical activity can keep your heart healthy. What activity will you do today?' and a further group received text messages that were a combination of the two.

Using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), which measured the time they spent on moderate and vigorous exercise, levels of physical activity of the participants were recorded.

After the two-week intervention by an average 31.5 minutes of moderate activity a week, analysis of the results found that the physical activity levels of all 128 participants increased.

The largest increase in physical activity was seen for inactive teenagers who received the text messages that highlighted the emotional benefits of exercise. This was equivalent to 120 more minutes of moderate exercise. (With Input from Agencies)