Ninth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

Several studies have shown that social and physical activity has a significant effect on the mental health and psychological well-being of individuals. To decrease of sedentary lifestyles and physical inactivity, it is important as a society to encourage participation in social and physical activity in general. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether different types of activities, either indoor or outdoor, would vary in the effects of psychological well-being. This study examined by participating in physical and social activities can reduce the effects of anxiety, stress and improve emotional and psychological well-being. The study was conducted using college students from Florida Agriculture and Mechanical Engineering University (FAMU). By participated in this study of whether indoor or outdoor social and physical activities will reduce anxiety and stress, and improve the emotional and psychological well – being. Research subjects was 115 students participated, 68 females, 47 males, between the ages of 18 and 27 years old. The study revealed that there is a direct link to social and physical activities restoration of attention. The analysis of the data showed the effects of activities on attention restoration and revealed that people who exercise or socialize using outdoor activities exhibited less stress than those that exercise and socialize indoors. The American psychological association describes this correlation as the “possible links between exercise and the brain chemicals associated with stress, anxiety and depression”. The evidence of the social health benefits from physical activity also that men and women were found to have a reduction in risk of death by 20% to 30% after having increased their level of physical and social activity. Physical leisure activity is considered beneficial to social and physical health. Regular physical and social activity helps to prevent diseases, reduce anxiety and depression, improve health physically, and increase positive emotions. Social and physical activity, both indoors and outdoors, leads to improved health benefits by increasing social health and reducing anxiety. The researcher found that over than 87% of FAMU students they are enjoyed and liked to participate at the outdoor activity. In addition researcher found there is a positive correlation between participating in outdoor activity and emotional psychological well-being.