The immediate and durable effects of yoga and physical fitness exercises on stress.
Author: Tong J1, Qi X2, He Z2, Chen S3, Pedersen SJ4, Cooley PD5, Spencer-Rodgers J6, He S1, Zhu X1
Affiliation:
1School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
2Department of Physical Education and Research, Peking University, Beijing, China.
3School of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
4Active Work Laboratory, School of Education, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
5Education and Arts, Federation University, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.
6Department of Psychology and Child Development, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, USA.
Conference/Journal: J Am Coll Health.
Date published: 2020 Jan 16
Other:
Volume ID: 1-9 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1705840. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 149
Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of yoga and physical fitness exercises on stress and the underlying mechanisms. Participants: Healthy undergraduates from four yoga and four fitness classes participated in Study 1 (n = 191) and Study 2 (n = 143), respectively (in 2017 Fall). Methods: Study 1 evaluated the immediate effect (a 60-minute practice) while Study 2 evaluated the durable effect (a 12-week intervention). Results: Results showed that immediate stress reduction was more salient in the yoga group than that in the fitness group in Study 1. Yoga group had a greater increase in mindfulness, which predicted stress reduction. Similar observations were made in Study 2 showing the durable effect of yoga on stress reduction through mindfulness. Conclusions: Yoga intervention is better than fitness exercises in helping undergraduates cultivate mindfulness and reduce stress. These findings may guide future interventions in stress management in college students.
KEYWORDS: College students; mental health; mindfulness; non-medical interventions; stress reduction
PMID: 31944898 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1705840
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