Researchers conducted a study to investigate the impact of exercise on mental health among college students. The study included 200 participants, both male and female, aged between 18 and 24 years. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an exercise group and a non-exercise control group.
The exercise group participated in a 12-week aerobic exercise program, which included three 45-minute sessions per week. The control group did not engage in any exercise during the study period. Both groups were asked to complete three mental health assessments at the beginning, halfway through, and at the end of the study.
The results of the study showed that the exercise group demonstrated significant improvements in mental health compared to the control group. Specifically, participants in the exercise group reported lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. They also experienced enhanced well-being and a greater sense of overall happiness.
The findings of this research suggest that integrating regular exercise into one's lifestyle can have a positive impact on mental health, particularly in college students. Engaging in aerobic exercise for a minimum of three sessions per week over a 12-week period produced significant improvements in stress levels, anxiety, depression, well-being, and happiness. These findings highlight the importance of exercise as a potential therapeutic intervention for addressing mental health issues in this particular population.
Four-paragraph summary of research findings
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