Research published in the November 1999 issue of the Annals of Behavioral Medicine examined the relationship between exercise and stress management. The study involved 135 college students and compared those who exercised regularly with those who did not. Students who engaged in regular physical activity coped with stress more effectively and reported 37% fewer physical stress-related symptoms. In contrast, sedentary students reported anxiety levels that were 21% higher than those of their physically active peers.
Exercise has also been shown to influence mood. A study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness (December 2001;41:539-545).evaluated mood changes in 80 volunteers before and after participation in an aerobics class. Prior to exercise, 52 of the participants were classified as being in a depressed mood based on a standardized questionnaire. After the class, participants reported reduced fatigue, lower tension, and decreased feelings of anger.
Evidence also suggests that exercise may temporarily enhance certain aspects of cognitive performance. A report presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Psychophysiological Research in Montreal, Canada (October 18, 2001) examined young adults aged 18 to 24 who completed cognitive testing after 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous treadmill running. The findings indicated improvements in measures related to mental performance following exercise.
Together, these studies suggest that regular physical activity may play a role in reducing stress, improving mood, and supporting cognitive function, particularly in young adults.
