Relationship between excercise frequency and stress level (Preprint)

BACKGROUND This paper is all about how exercise is affecting stress level OBJECTIVE The primary objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the frequency of physical exercise and perceived stress levels among young adults. Specifically, the study aims to: Examine whether increased exercise frequency is associated with reduced levels of self-reported stress. Analyze differences in stress levels among individuals with varying exercise habits using statistical tools such as Pearson correlation and ANOVA. Provide empirical evidence to support the inclusion of regular physical activity as a non-pharmacological strategy for stress management. Offer practical insights for health professionals, educators, and policymakers on promoting exercise to improve psychological well-being. METHODS This study uses a quantitative cross-sectional approach to study how often people exercise and how they feel about stress. A survey method is applied to get information from participants about both their physical activity and stress levels. Participants Participants included 110 adults (aged 18–30). RESULTS Descriptive Statistics: • The average exercise frequency among respondents was 2.94 days per week, with a standard deviation of 1.73, indicating moderate variability. • The mean perceived stress level was 4.61 on a scale of 1 to 10, with a standard deviation of 2.39, reflecting a wide range of stress perceptions. • The exercise frequency ranged from 0 (rarely or never) to 7 days (daily), while stress ratings spanned from 1 (very low stress) to 10 (very high stress). CONCLUSIONS The study concludes that exercise frequency is significantly associated with perceived stress levels. Although the relationship is modest in strength, the statistical analyses clearly indicate that individuals who engage in regular physical activity tend to experience lower stress. These results corroborate existing physiological and behavioral research and emphasize the role of physical exercise as a simple, non- pharmacological intervention for stress management. Given the accessibility of exercise and its multitude of physical and mental health benefits, it should be integrated into daily routines and public health strategies. Future studies should investigate the interaction between exercise intensity, duration, and consistency, as well as psychological variables like motivation and social support. Understanding these dynamics can help in developing targeted interventions for stress reduction through physical activity.