Capstone Thesis Project
The Relationship between Physical Activity, Stress, and Academic Performance
Capstone Thesis
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Introduction
College years are known as a time of change and transition between adolescence and adulthood. The freedom that a student experiences in college also comes with a lot of responsibility, which in turn puts a lot of stress on the student. One of these responsibilities relates to academic performance and advancement. Academic performance in college is very important and should be rendered as a priority in every student’s life. Stress is something that every college student will have to deal with, while there are many ways to deal with stress some college students either choose to relieve stress in healthy ways or not in very healthy ways.
It has been proven time and time again that exercise is a great way to deal with stress.[i] Exercise not only improves physical health, but studies show that it can improve cognitive function and mental health of the body. With the many opportunities for physical activity on the college campus, many students do take advantage of this as a vicarious benefit to help deal with stress and improve their academic performance.
Purpose
The purpose of the study was to determine if physical activity levels are associated with stress level, and academic performance in college-aged students. Self-report surveys reveal that physical activity levels declined dramatically after adolescence in college-aged students.[ii] In addition to the chronic disease risks associated with physical inactivity, it is possible that physical inactivity also may be related to high stress levels and poor academic performance among college students. In contrast, students who continue to be physically activity while attending college may experience beneficial effects in these areas. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity, stress, and academic
Capstone Thesis
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
Introduction
College years are known as a time of change and transition between adolescence and adulthood. The freedom that a student experiences in college also comes with a lot of responsibility, which in turn puts a lot of stress on the student. One of these responsibilities relates to academic performance and advancement. Academic performance in college is very important and should be rendered as a priority in every student’s life. Stress is something that every college student will have to deal with, while there are many ways to deal with stress some college students either choose to relieve stress in healthy ways or not in very healthy ways.
It has been proven time and time again that exercise is a great way to deal with stress.[i] Exercise not only improves physical health, but studies show that it can improve cognitive function and mental health of the body. With the many opportunities for physical activity on the college campus, many students do take advantage of this as a vicarious benefit to help deal with stress and improve their academic performance.
Purpose
The purpose of the study was to determine if physical activity levels are associated with stress level, and academic performance in college-aged students. Self-report surveys reveal that physical activity levels declined dramatically after adolescence in college-aged students.[ii] In addition to the chronic disease risks associated with physical inactivity, it is possible that physical inactivity also may be related to high stress levels and poor academic performance among college students. In contrast, students who continue to be physically activity while attending college may experience beneficial effects in these areas. This study investigated the relationship between physical activity, stress, and academic
References: [ii] Hutchins M, Drolet J, Ogletree R. Physical activity patterns and self-efficacy of selected college students. Health Educator [serial online]. 2010;42(2):84-88. [serial online]. 2008;13(6):555-572. [iv] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/adults.html. Accessibility verified September 17, 2012. [v] The American Institute of Stress. What is Stress?. Available at http://www.stress.org/what-is-stress/. Accessibility verified September 18, 2012. [vi] Rueggeberg R, Wrosch C, Miller G. The different roles of perceived stress in the association between older adults ' physical activity and physical health. Health Psychol [serial online]. 2012;31(2):164-171. [serial online]. 2008;13(6):555-572. [viii] Hutchins M, Drolet J, Ogletree R. Physical activity patterns and self-efficacy of selected college students. Health Educator [serial online]. 2010;42(2):84-88. [xi] Craig C, Marshall A, Oja P, et al. International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity. Med Sci Sports Exerc [serial online]. 2003;35(8):1381-1395. [xii] Andreou E, Alexopoulos E, Darviri C, et al. Perceived stress scale: reliability and validity study in Greece. Int J Environ Res Public Health [serial online]. 2011;8(8):3287-3298. [xiii] Reis R, Hino A, Añez C. Perceived stress scale: reliability and validity study in Brazil. Health Psychol [serial online]. 2010;15(1):107-114. [xvi] Pettit M, DeBarr K. Perceived stress, energy drink consumption, and academic performance among college students. J Am Coll Health [serial online]. 2011;59(5):335-341. [serial online]. 2008;13(6):555-572. [xix] May R. Academic major as a perceived stress indicator: extending stress management intervention. College Student Journal [serial online]. 2012;46(2):264. [xxi]Kurtze, Nanna, Vegar R., and Bo-Egil H. "Reliability and validity of the international physical activity questionnaire in the nord-trøndelag health study (HUNT) population of men." BMC Med Res Methodol 8.(2008): 63. [xxii] Cohen, S., Kamarck, T., & Mermelstein, R. (1983). A global measure of perceived stress. J. Health Soc. Behav., 24, 385-396.