Stress & Exercise

This study investigates how physical exercise influences sleep quality in college students, considering the mediating roles of perceived stress and ruminative thinking. A sample of 955 students was surveyed using validated questionnaires, including the Physical Activity Rating Scale (PARS-3) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The results showed that higher levels of physical exercise significantly correlated with better sleep quality (r = -0.361, p < 0.01), lower perceived stress (r = -0.393, p < 0.01), and reduced ruminative thinking (r = -0.503, p < 0.01). The study established a chain mediation model, demonstrating that physical activity improves sleep indirectly by reducing perceived stress and ruminative thinking. The findings suggest colleges should promote structured physical activities to improve students' mental well-being and sleep quality. However, limitations include the self-reported nature of data and the cross-sectional study design, which restricts causal inference.

This study investigated the immediate effects of a 10-minute exercise session, with and without a virtual reality (VR) component, on stress, anxiety, and cognitive performance in high school students during exam periods. Both groups—those playing dodgeball in real life and those in a VR dodgeball game—showed significant reductions in stress and anxiety and improvements in cognitive flexibility and attention. The findings indicate that even short bouts of physical activity can positively impact mental well-being and cognitive function. While VR did not provide additional benefits beyond traditional exercise, it engaged students more effectively, highlighting its potential as a motivational tool for stress relief.

This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of physical activity (PA) in reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and distress across various populations. PA, including aerobic, resistance, and mind-body exercises, showed medium to large benefits, particularly for individuals with depression, pregnant women, and those with chronic illnesses. Higher-intensity exercises yielded greater effects. The findings suggest PA as an accessible, effective tool for mental health, often comparable to psychotherapy and medication.

This study explored how regular exercise influences emotional and physiological responses to acute stress in healthy adults. Using a standardized stress test (Trier Social Stress Test), the researchers found that regular exercisers maintained higher levels of positive mood compared to non-exercisers, who showed a significant decline in positive affect. While both groups exhibited similar cortisol and cardiovascular responses, exercisers had lower resting heart rates. These findings suggest that regular physical activity enhances emotional resilience to stress, which may reduce the long-term health impacts of stress-related conditions.