Quality of life and stress in active and sedentary university males

Abstract

This study explored the impact of exercise levels on stress, psychological and physiological components, and quality of life in university males. A total of 51 students (age: 20.31±2.01) were recruited and participated in three trials over the course of the semester. Participants were divided into active and sedentary groups based on a physical activity level survey. Each trial consisted of a urine sample measuring cortisol for physiological stress and the completion of the quality of life and psychological surveys. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA across time showed no significant difference in cortisol levels by group. Pearson product correlations showed significant negative relationships (-0.334 to -0.710, p0.05) at each time point between perceived stress and quality of life, but no relationship was found between perceived stress or quality of life and cortisol levels. The results indicate male students may have difficulty assessing their physiological stress levels. The lack of difference in stress, quality of life, or cortisol levels between the groups indicates exercise may not be an attenuating factor for university males. More psychophysiological research on this population should be completed to explore other stress and quality of life factors.