Effects of team sports on anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and sleep quality in college students. Issue 7 (26th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnston, Sara Ann; Roskowski, Christine; He, Zhonghui; Kong, Lingchen; Chen, Weiyun
• Is Part Of: Journal of American college health. Volume 69:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 791
• Page End: 797
• Publication Date: 2021-10-26
• Subjects: Mental health -- college students -- team sports; 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: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1707836
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0744-8481

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of team sports on alleviating depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and poor sleep quality in college students. Participants: Undergraduates (n = 291) from a major public university in China. Methods: A 12-week quasi-experimental study was conducted. Students were enrolled in team sports classes (n = 138, experimental group) and aerobic dance classes (n = 153, comparison group). Data was collected via questionnaires at pre and post-test. Results: Results indicated significant improvement in depression and sleep quality for college students over time ( p < .05). Depression levels decreased significantly more for team sports group ( p < .05) compared to aerobic dance group. Results showed no significant differences in anxiety or perceived stress between the two groups over time ( p > .05). Conclusions: Team sports may help reduce depression and poor sleep quality in college students. However, physical activity alone may not help improve anxiety and perceived stress.