The director of the Physical Education Race of the Unab Headquarters Viña del MarJuan Pablo Zavala, talked in Radio Agriculture about the positive effects of regular sports in the mental health of young university students.
In the program, the researcher presented the preliminary results of the “Active-U” study, an investigation carried out by UNAB in the Valparaíso region, which measured the impact of different types of physical exercises on students between 18 and 25 years with few levels of physical activity.
“The study was born by the high prevalence of anxiety, depression and stress in university students. We wanted to verify whether physical exercise programs could generate significant changes in these variables, in addition to measuring adherence to them,” explained the academic.
The investigation, which lasted 12 weeks, contemplated three groups: one practiced swimming; another, high intensity exercises through playful games; and a third, collective team games. The results showed improvements in mental health, sleep quality and cardiorespiratory capacity. “The most significant changes occurred in those who participated in swimming, which could be explained by the particular effect of the aquatic environment on emotional well -being,” Zavala explained.
In addition to physical and emotional improvements, the study evidenced a decrease in cortisol levels (stress -related hormone) and an increase in the release of endorphins, known as “happiness hormones.” The results were obtained by questionnaires applied before and after the process.
In that sense, the academic emphasized the urgency that universities offer massive sports workshops, not only for professional athletes, but for the entire student community. “Sport must cease to be a privilege and become a fundamental part of integral training. Not only improves the well -being and mental health of students, it also directly affects their academic performance and personal development,” he concluded.
Listen to the full interview here
