Aerobic exercise, mindfulness meditation, and stress-reduction in high-stress, college-based young adults: A pilot study

J Am Coll Health. 2024 Jul;72(5):1331-1335. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2076103. Epub 2022 May 25.

Abstract

This pilot study assessed the feasibility and combined effect of aerobic exercise (AE) and mindfulness meditation (MM), compared with MM alone and a control (CON) condition, on stress, anxiety, and depression in high-stress college-based young adults. Thirty-two participants (84.4% F, 20.5 ± 2.7 years, 23.9 ± 5.0 kg/m2) were randomized to a four-week, AE + MM (n = 16), MM (n = 10), or control intervention (n = 6). ANOVA revealed non-significant, but noteworthy group x time interactions (perceived stress: p = 0.09; anxiety/depression: p = 0.07). Both AE + MM and MM seem to be feasible strategies to reduce levels of stress, anxiety and depression in college-based young adults.

Keywords: Aerobic exercise; anxiety; depression; mindfulness meditation; psychological stress.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety* / prevention & control
  • Anxiety* / psychology
  • Anxiety* / therapy
  • Depression / prevention & control
  • Depression / psychology
  • Depression / therapy
  • Exercise* / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meditation* / methods
  • Meditation* / psychology
  • Mindfulness* / methods
  • Pilot Projects
  • Stress, Psychological* / prevention & control
  • Stress, Psychological* / psychology
  • Stress, Psychological* / therapy
  • Students* / psychology
  • Students* / statistics & numerical data
  • Universities
  • Young Adult