The immediate and durable effects of yoga and physical fitness exercises on stress. Issue 6 (31st August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tong, Jiajin; Qi, Xin; He, Zhonghui; Chen, Senlin; Pedersen, Scott J.; Cooley, P. Dean; Spencer-Rodgers, Julie; He, Shuchang; Zhu, Xiangyi
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 69:Issue 6(2021)
• Page Start: 675
• Page End: 683
• Publication Date: 2021-08-31
• Subjects: College students -- stress reduction -- mental health -- mindfulness -- non-medical interventions; College students -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; College students -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; College students -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Universities and colleges -- Health promotion services -- Periodicals; 362.10883781980973
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1705840
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

Abstract: 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.