PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS COPING STRATEGY FOR ACADEMIC STRESS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE FEMALE STUDENT

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of physical activity as a coping strategy to reduce academic stress among undergraduate female students. Methodology: A Randomized control trail (NCT04221022) was conducted in Bilquis Postgraduate College for Women PAF, Nur Khan Base, Rawalpindi. A total of n=37 undergraduate inactive female (>1-month) students, age between 18-24 years, with moderate level of academic stress measured on academic stress scale were included in the study. While students with diagnosed psychological disorders, systematic diseases were excluded. The participants randomly divided into Light Physical Activity (LPA), Moderate Physical Activity (MPA) and Vigorous Physical activity (VPA) groups. The academic stress scale (ASS) was used to observe level of academic stress among participant at baseline and after six weeks of intervention. Results: The mean age of female study participants was 20.24±1.44 years. Pre-Post analysis showed that all group significantly improve (p<0.001) level of academic stress after 6 week intervention. The academic stress was significantly improved in moderate PA group as compare to vigorous PA (15.17±12.39 Ver. 44.62±36.94, p=0.019). Conclusion: All types of physical activities were effective as a coping strategy for reducing academic stress among female undergraduate students. But moderate level of physical activity like brisk walking was significantly associated with reduction in academic stress as compare to vigorous and light physical activities. Keywords: Cognition, mental health, physical activity, stress.