The associations between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and anxiety in post-secondary students

Introduction: The prevalence of anxiety is high in post-secondary students and most do not meet recommended physical activity levels. It is hypothesized that low levels of physical activity may be associated with anxiety in post-secondary students. Purpose: To determine whether physical activity and sedentary behaviour are associated with symptoms of anxiety in post-secondary students. Methods: Systematic review of the literature and cross-sectional study of undergraduate students in two Faculties at University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Results: The systematic review provides inconclusive evidence for the association between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and anxiety. The cross-sectional study suggests that muscular strengthening is associated with anxiety in the Faculty of Health Sciences and that aerobic physical activity is associated with anxiety in the Faculty of Education. No association was found between sedentary behaviour and anxiety. Conclusion: Physical activity is associated with anxiety in post-secondary students. More research is required to understand causal relationships of this association.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Health Sciences (MHSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community, Public and Population Health

Grantor

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Short, Michael

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Cote, Pierre

• Anxiety
• Aerobic physical activity
• Muscular strength
• Exercise
• Post-secondary

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10155/1267

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ontariotechu.scholaris.ca:10155/1267