The Effects of 12-Week Aerobic Exercises on Rate of Mental Health in Male Students of Ahvaz Payam Noor University

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12-week aerobic exercises on self-esteem, social desirability and rate of mental health in male students of Payam Noor University (PNU). Basic procedures. For this reason we used male college students (n = 80, age = 22 ± 2. 1) who did not do any sport. They were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups, after having been selected via stratified random sampling among students of Ahvaz Payam Noor University. Also, to collect data there were implemented the Cooper test and the general health questionnaire of Goldberg (GHQ) and social desirability questionnaire of Crowne-Marlowe. Main findings. Statistical analysis showed that training like aerobic exercises is related to a significant improvement in mental health, self-esteem and social desirability because of favorable changes in some of physiological and psychological parameters. Conclusions. This study was of a semi-experimental type (pre-test, post-test). Data analyzed by Multivariate Analysis Of Variance (MANOVA) at p value ( p = 0.05) revealed that there were significant differences between experimental group and control group, in mental health, self-esteem and social desirability.

The Effects of Physical Activity on Self-Esteem: A Comparative Study

“…This result can be interpreted to mean that there is a relationship between exercise and increased SE. The results of this study correspond with those of other studies (3,13,(23)(24)(25). Ghaffari et al conducted a study with students in an experimental group before and after regular aerobic exercise and found that the mean SE score increased significantly, from 93.1 ± 8.2 to 111.4 ± 8.1 (P < 0.0001).…”

“…Ferdowsi et al reported a significant difference in terms of self-esteem and mental health between the experimental group and the control group after 12 weeks of aerobic exercises (23). A study by Ekeland et al also resulted in a positive response among participants (3).…”

“…Young people need to feel good and to be good, which will help them achieve a safe and healthy lifestyle. The lack of a high level of self-esteem may cause adolescents and young adults to deviate from their life paths (23). A review of the literature combined with our findings reveals that regular exercise and physical activity, as well as the use of exercise therapy, are effective in increasing self-esteem and mental balance.…”

The effects of aerobic exercise training on mental health and self-esteem of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

“…There is a growing interest in the interventions focusing on increasing physical exercise as a supplementary treatment therapy for this population. Studies indicate that exercise therapy is well perceived, and is associated with improved physical health (Ellis et al , 2007; Ferdowsi et al , 2010; Gorczynski and Faulkner, 2010). In this study, aerobic exercise training showed significant effects on the sub-scales of the physical symptoms of anxiety and insomnia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus; however, it had no effect on the sub-scales of social functioning disorder and depression, that was inconsistent with the findings of the study by the Sardar et al .…”

“…Exercise training, such as aerobic exercises, not only promote the individual’s physical health, but also may influence his/her mental condition. As physical and mental status are generally mutually dependent, reduction in physical abilities may cause a decrease in self-esteem, which is a set of abilities, competence and characteristics that an individual believes he/she owns (Ferdowsi et al , 2010). Guszkowska (2003) showed significant reduction of anxiety and depression following single sessions of exercise.…”