The effect of the Aerobic, Non-aerobic and Relaxation Exercises on Anxiety and Stress among Female Students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Background: The purpose of this study was to study the effects of aerobic, non-aerobic and relaxation exercises on reducing anxiety and stress in female students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences.   Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on female students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences during the academic year ۲۰۱۶-۲۰۱۷. A total of ۶۰ students were randomly divided into the three groups (n=۲۰) of aerobic exercise, non-aerobic exercise and relaxation and exposed to ۸ weeks training programs (۳ sessions a week with a minimum of ۴۵ minutes). Before and after the intervention, subjects were asked to fill out the anxiety and stress questionnaire (DASS-۲۱) that the validity and reliability of its Persian version had been previously confirmed. One-way ANOVA was used to test the study hypotheses. Data were analyzed using SPSS ۲۰ software.   Results: Between the three groups of aerobic exercise, non-aerobic exercise and relaxation there were significant differences in the rates of stress reduction (P≤۰.۰۱), and anxiety (P≤۰.۰۵). Stress and anxiety had become less in the aerobic and relaxation groups.   Conclusion: Relaxation and aerobic exercise activities can reduce stress and anxiety in students.

Keywords:

physical activity , Relaxation , female , Anxiety , Stress