'The percieved effects of exercise on physical and psychological well-being'

Abstract

The relation between physical exercise and psychological health brought about more and more awareness over recent years. This study examines evidence relating to the relationship between physical exercise and psychological benefits derived from participating in exercise. This study will discuss how there can be a change in emotional states by introducing regular exercise to our lives. This research will expect to prove that people who do regular exercise have better physical and psychological well-being. The relationships between exercise, personality traits, and psychological health in a group of active and inactive women between 20 and 50 years of age were examined. These were recruited from health clubs and adult education classes by the use of questionnaires in relation to this subject. The design of this study used both a quantitative and qualitative approach. Data was collected through standardized questionnaires by ninety three participants. The results of this study suggest that active individuals experienced less depression, stress, anxiety and have more positive effects on body image than inactive individuals. Furthermore, regular exercisers perceived their health and fitness to be better than less frequent exercisers did. As well, they reported higher levels of self confidence and a stronger feeling of social integration. A range of exercises may be able to play a therapeutic role in relation to a number of psychological disorders.