Author: Tong J1, Qi X2, He Z2, Chen S3, Pedersen SJ4, Cooley PD5, Spencer-Rodgers J6, He S1, Zhu X1
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup>School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.
<sup>2</sup>Department of Physical Education and Research, Peking University, Beijing, China.
<sup>3</sup>School of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
<sup>4</sup>Active Work Laboratory, School of Education, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
<sup>5</sup>Education and Arts, Federation University, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.
<sup>6</sup>Department of Psychology and Child Development, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, USA.
Conference/Journal: J Am Coll Health.
Date published: 2020 Jan 16
Other:
Volume ID: 1-9 , Special Notes: doi: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1705840. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 149
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.
KEYWORDS: College students; mental health; mindfulness; non-medical interventions; stress reduction
PMID: 31944898 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1705840