THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXERCISE AND MENTAL HEALTH IN ...

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXERCISE AND MENTAL HEALTH IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty

of the North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

By Nikki Richelle Demers

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Major Department: Human Development and Education

Option: Wellness

May 2013

Fargo, North Dakota

North Dakota State University

Graduate School

Title

The Relationship Between Exercise and Mental Health in College Students

By

Nikki Richelle Demers

The Supervisory Committee certifies that this disquisition complies with North Dakota State University's regulations and meets the accepted standards for the degree of

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE:

Donna J. Terbizan

Chair

Ardith Brunt Margaret Fitzgerald Ann Burnett

Approved:

6/18/13

Date

Gregory F. Sanders

Department Chair

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of an exercise program on aspects of wellness in college students. The study explored changes in physical fitness and on self-reports of anxiety and depression symptoms before and after participating in a six-week exercise program at a Midwestern university. The study participants consisted of 53 undergraduate students from activity courses, and 25 undergraduate students from a lecture course. The Burns' Anxiety Inventory, Burns' Depression Inventory, and the Attitudes Towards Exercise Inventory were used for assessment. Quantifiable measures of physical fitness were assessed using anthropometric measures for weight and body composition, and the Rockport walking test was used as a measure of cardiovascular fitness.

Results indicated significant differences existed between pre- and post-scores for the treatment group that participated in the six-week exercise program in categories of anxiety, depression, attitudes/beliefs that exercise can improve mental health, and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) scores which indicate cardiorespiratory fitness. Non-significant differences were found between pre and post data in the measures of attitudes in the stages of change, body composition and Body Mass Index for the treatment group. In the control group, a significant difference was noted in VO2 max, but no differences were found in all other categories of anxiety, depression, attitudes towards exercise, body fat, and Body Mass Index.

Results from this study indicate that an exercise prescription may be used as a tool to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety in college students. Additional studies may confirm significance in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms or seeing changes in body composition while adhering to a regular exercise program.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to say a special thank you to all of my friends and family who were patient, understanding, giving, supportive, encouraging, and made sacrifices throughout this process so that I could finish this long process of the dissertation. I would also like to thank my advisor, Dr. Terbizan for her assistance, patience, and kindness during this process and sticking it out through the ups and downs! I truly appreciate it! My thanks also go out to the members of my doctoral committee, Dr. Ardith Brunt, Dr. Ann Burnett, and Dr. Margaret Fitzgerald, for taking the time to serve on my committee, read my drafts and provide valuable feedback and questions that improved the contents of this work.

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To Dalton.

DEDICATION

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