scholarly journals The Influence of Exercise Empowerment on Life Stress

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Tonya M. Parker ◽  
Colleen A. Lewis ◽  
Christina M. Beaudoin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
College Students ◽  
Psychological Stress ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Life Stress ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Complex Relationship ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
College Aged Students

Background: Psychological stress – when an individual perceives that the environment exceeds their ability to meet the demands placed on them - is common in college students and exercise, and specifically instructional physical activity courses, is frequently cited as a one method of stress reduction. Objective: Determine any relationship between exercise empowerment and perceived life stress for those participating in instructional physical activity courses (IPAC). Methods: All undergraduate students (n = 3388) enrolled in IPAC in 15-week IPAC at a large university were surveyed on perceived life stress (PSS), empowerment in exercise (EES), and specific demographic variables. Results: 944 of 3388 enrolled students (Nov. 2015, April 2016) completed the survey. The data revealed GPA (p < 0.002), sex (p < 0.000), and EES (p < 0.001) showed differences for PSS. It was determined that EES, sex, and GPA predicted PSS differently for students according to their year in college. Conclusions: For freshman and seniors, sex and lower GPA were a stronger predictor of PSS with no mitigating effect of exercise empowerment. For sophomores and juniors the level of life stress was lower at higher levels of exercise empowerment. These findings support a complex relationship between exercise empowerment and life stress. While exercise is cited as a method for stress reduction the relationship between exercise empowerment and life stress for college-aged students is not as straightforward as it may seem.

Assessing College Students’ Use of Campus Recreation Facilities through Individual and Environmental Factors

2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan M. Shaikh ◽  
Megan S. Patterson ◽  
Beth Lanning ◽  
M. Renee Umstattd Meyer ◽  
Clinton A. Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
College Students ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Environment And Behavior ◽  
The Relationship

Physical activity is related to overall well-being among college students. For many college students, on-campus recreational facilities are the primary environment for physical activity to occur. Social cognitive theory highlights the relationship between individual factors, the environment, and behavior. This study aimed to assess the relationship of individual-level factors, including self-efficacy, exercise behaviors, and social physique anxiety, as well as students’ reported comfort in the recreational environment, with use of campus facilities. To test these relationships, the researchers surveyed 189 undergraduate students and conducted descriptive and linear regression analyses. Results suggest students’ comfort in their recreational environment is critical to their use of facilities, and, in turn, their engagement in physical activity. Suggestions for future research and practice, particularly concerning recreational facility use, are included in the discussion.

Associations Between Change Over Time in Pandemic-Related Stress and Change in Physical Activity

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. Wilson ◽  
Andrew Corbett ◽  
Andrew Van Horn ◽  
Diego Guevara Beltran ◽  
Jessica D. Ayers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Latent Growth ◽  
Linear Change ◽  
Change Over Time ◽  
Trajectories Of Change ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Over Time

Background: Physical activity (PA) mitigated psychological distress during the initial weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet not much is known about whether PA had effects on stress in subsequent months. We examined the relationship between change over time in COVID-related stress and self-reported change in PA between March and July 2020. Methods: Latent growth modeling was used to examine trajectories of change in pandemic-related stress and test their association with self-reported changes in PA in an international sample (n = 679). Results: The participants reported a reduction in pandemic-related stress between April and July of 2020. Significant linear (factor mean = −0.22) and quadratic (factor mean = 0.02) changes (Ps < .001) were observed, indicating a deceleration in stress reduction over time. Linear change was related to change in PA such that individuals who became less active during the pandemic reported less stress reduction over time compared with those who maintained or increased their PA during the pandemic. Conclusions: Individuals who experienced the greatest reduction in stress over time during the pandemic were those who maintained their activity levels or became more active. Our study cannot establish a causal relationship between these variables, but the findings are consistent with other work showing that PA reduces stress.

Relationships between Leisure Time Physical Activity and Perceived Stress

1996 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 315-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven G. Aldana ◽  
Leanne D. Sutton ◽  
Bert H. Jacobson ◽  
Michael G. Quirk
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Type A Behavior ◽  
Life Changes ◽  
Working Adults ◽  
Confounding Variables ◽  
The Relationship

This study investigated the relationship between physical activity during leisure time and perceived stress among working adults ( N = 32,229). Data were gathered on physical activity, perceived stress, current health status, age, gender, life changes, ongoing problems, number of techniques used for stress reduction, and number of personality traits related to Type A behavior. To control for confounding variables Mantel-Haenszel summary risk estimates were used. Employees who expended more than 3.0 Kcal/kg−1 · day−1 in physical activity during leisure time were 0.78 and 0.62 times less likely to have moderate and high perceived stress, respectively. Working adults participating in moderate amounts of these activities have about half the rate of perceived stress as nonparticipants.

An Assessment of Proximity of Fitness Facilities and Equipment and Actual Perceived Usage by Undergraduate University Students: A Pilot Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Allen ◽  
Craig M. Ross
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Division I ◽  
Exercise Frequency ◽  
Undergraduate University Students ◽  
Intensity Of Exercise ◽  
The Relationship

This pilot study examined the relationship between proximity of fitness facilities and equipment and actual perceived usage by undergraduate students at a Division I university, while acknowledging the role that Social Cognitive Theory plays in fitness. As a pilot study, the primary purpose was to gauge whether the study design and instruments used were appropriate for the overall purpose. Intensity of exercise, frequency of exercise, length of physical activity sessions, as well as a variety of other constructs were analyzed through correlational analysis to determine significance. The Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire and the Perceived Environments Related to Physical Activity Questionnaire were modified for data collection. Findings of the pilot study revealed no significance in the proximity of fitness facilities and the amount of physical activity participation. However, the frequency of physical activity was significantly related to the availability of fitness equipment in an individual's home. Data collected from this study will be used to conduct further research on wider populations to investigate the proximity of fitness facilities and it's correlation with physical activity.

Exploring the Relationship Between College Students’ Barriers to Exercise and Motivation

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. Ball ◽  
Matthew R. Bice ◽  
Kimberly A. Maljak
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
College Students ◽  
Nontraditional Students ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Need Satisfaction ◽  
School Work ◽  
Psychological Need ◽  
Barriers To Exercise ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Demographics among college students are becoming increasingly diverse and the enrollment of students who are considered “nontraditional” is on the rise. Traditional and nontraditional students are faced with numerous physical activity barriers and increased responsibilities when it comes to balancing school, work, and physical activity. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between college students’ barriers to exercise and motivation among traditional and nontraditional students. Furthermore, the study explored the relationships between college students’ barriers to exercise and motivation among males and females. Methods: Participants (n = 217) completed the Barriers to Being Active Questionnaire, the Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise Questionnaire, and the InternationalPhysical Activity Questionnaire. Results: The study found there were no differences among motivational factors, barriers to exercise, and traditional and nontraditional students. Females in this study reported significantly higher ratings of barriers compared to males. However, they reported higher ratings in the competence construct of Self-Determination Theory as compared to males. Conclusions: The current study,revealed traditional and nontraditional students, as well as males and females, all reported the same top three barriers to exercise that include: lack of time, energy, and willpower. Understanding college students’ motivation and barriers to physical activity is an important step in developing strategies to help them enhance their health and well-being. With the help of health professionals, college students can learn howto overcome these barriers.

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