BYU Study Links Shared Exercise to Better Marital Communication

Key points

• Researchers analyzed data from 1,693 young married couples in the U.S. using the Couple Relationships and Transition Experiences (CREATE) survey.
• Couples who exercised, whether together or separately, reported better communication, conflict resolution, and less marital conflict compared to non-exercising couples.
• Shared exercise showed somewhat stronger associations with positive outcomes than individual exercise, but the difference was not statistically significant.
• Walking was the most frequently reported shared activity, noted for its accessibility and ability to facilitate conversation.
• The study is cross-sectional, meaning it cannot prove that exercise causes better relationships; couples with existing strong communication may simply be more likely to exercise together.

Background

This research extends previous BYU findings on exercise and marriage in older couples to young married pairs. It aligns with broader relationship research suggesting that shared enjoyable activities can increase closeness and satisfaction. The study focuses on early marriage, a period often marked by transitions such as parenthood, which the data linked to poorer communication scores.

How outlets are covering it

StudyFinds and SciTechDaily both highlight the potential benefits of shared exercise, with SciTechDaily emphasizing the simplicity of walking as a low-cost tool for improving communication. StudyFinds provides a more detailed breakdown of the demographic data, noting that while the sample was nationally representative, it skewed toward moderate-to-high income and some college education. Both sources agree on the limitation that the study cannot establish causality, but SciTechDaily includes direct quotes from researchers expressing confidence in the consistency of the findings despite the lack of statistical significance for the shared vs. individual comparison.

Why it matters

The findings offer a practical, low-cost strategy for couples and therapists to improve relationship dynamics. By recommending shared physical activity, such as walking, marriage educators may help couples create uninterrupted time for conversation and reduce conflict. This is particularly relevant for young couples navigating the stresses of early marriage and parenthood, where shared leisure time may be limited.

What to watch

Researchers call for longitudinal studies to determine whether shared exercise causes better communication or if better communication leads to shared exercise. Future research should also capture details on exercise intensity, duration, and frequency to better understand the specific mechanisms at play.