Depression as a Predictor of Fatigue: A Psychological Model within the Framework of Physical Activity and Body Composition

Abstract

Fatigue is a frequent problem that disrupts academic and social functioning in young adults. High levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among university students further exacerbate this issue. While physical activity helps reduce psychological symptoms, its effect on fatigue remains uncertain. Biological factors such as muscle mass and metabolic rate may provide partial protection against physical fatigue. This study explored the relationships between fatigue, depression, anxiety, and stress in university students, alongside the role of physical activity and body composition. A cross-sectional design was applied with 578 university students in Türkiye. Fatigue was assessed with the Chalder Fatigue Scale, psychological symptoms with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21, and physical activity with the Physical Activity Scale-2. Data were collected face to face using a standardized protocol. Analyses included Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and independent samples t-tests. Findings showed that despite relatively high activity levels, students reported moderate fatigue. Fatigue was positively correlated with depression, anxiety, and stress, together explaining 36.3% of the variance, with depression showing the strongest association. Physical activity showed no direct association with fatigue, whereas skeletal muscle mass and basal metabolic rate were negatively related to physical fatigue. Female students reported higher fatigue, anxiety, and stress, while males were more active. In conclusion, fatigue in university students is primarily linked to psychological factors. No significant relationship was found between physical activity levels and fatigue, whereas fatigue was strongly associated with psychological symptoms and biological indicators. These results highlight the importance of integrating psychological support with biological health strategies to improve student well-being.   Cite this article as: Akıl, M., Güngör, M. G., & Tokay, B. (2026). Depression as a predictor of fatigue: A psychological model within the framework of physical activity and body composition. Research in Sports Science, 16, 0107, 2026. doi: 10.5152/rss.2026.25107.