STRESS &

EXERCISE

J EN

ES

SA

DU

NC

AN

JA

SM

I NE

RA

ZO

N

DOES THE STRESS OF KNOWING HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR YOU TO EXERCISE REDUCE THE EMOTIONAL BENEFIT OF

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY?

• Why we chose this topic?

• Enjoy fitness and the social determinants of

health section of this course

• Stress is a social determinant of health

• Exercise is an important aspect of our lives as sport

science students

• Used Facebook as out social platform to ask question and collect data

Methodology : FACEBOOK

TWO THEMESTheme 1: Exercise=

• In this theme people discussed how they get stressed finding time to exercise, but that they always feel great, and less stressed afterwards

Theme 2: Work out for fun

• In this theme people discussed how they either were not motivated to exercise, or were told what workouts to do by others, so they were more stressed and did not get the emotional benefit of physical activity

THEME 1: EXERCISE =

MICRO LEVEL

• Ashley: looks forward to working out“Personally I look forward to working out everyday. Exercising isn't something I dread doing.”

• Sara: Finds it difficult to make time to exercise, but when she does it gets rid of her stress“I think that it is difficult to make the time to exercise but i find when i do exercise i feel good about myself and i feel less stressed.”

• Kat: Stresses that she needs to get her workouts in but feels great when she does “In my opinion yes there is stress knowing I need to get so and so workouts for the week when I have a busy schedule but that does not reduce how I feel post workout. “

EXERCISE =

MACRO LEVEL

• Dominant idea in society: you should exercise daily and it will make you feel better physically, mentally and emotionally

THEME 2: WORK OUT FOR FUN

MICRO LEVEL

• Stacie: Does not enjoy her workouts because her coach decides what she has to do“I would also say that team workouts result in very little emotional benefit because it feels like something I have to do. “

• Kyle: Lacks motivation and drags himself to the gym therefore does not get the emotional benefit

“I know I should go to the gym at least a few times a week but I’m so lazy, when I actually am there I don’t enjoy my workouts.”

• Eric: Does repetitive boring workouts and does not get the emotional benefit of physical activity

“I would enjoy exercising if I tried a sport or activity rather than forcing myself on the treadmill three days a week.”

WORK OUT FOR FUNMACRO LEVEL

•Challenge dominant idea in society

LIMITATIONS

• Open group- everyone can see everyone’s names and comments

• Some people are not comfortable talking about their personal health/physical activity level

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

• For people on teams; does being a part of a set training plan with your team stress you out and take away from the emotional benefits of physical activity?

• Do your peers or family influence your stress levels when it comes to physical activity (or vice versa) ?

• Does finding the time to exercise being a busy student increase stress levels?

REFERENCES

Facebook 2013, retrieved on March 27, 2013 from

http://www.facebook.com/groups/318595184910893/