Analysis of physical activity on anxiety and stress in education: a systematic review
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Regular physical activity has been shown to generate benefits for mental health and emotional well-being. Anxiety and stress are common problems in education, and physical activity has been shown to mitigate these problems. This study aims to deepen our understanding of the effects of physical activity on stress and anxiety in primary, secondary, and higher education settings through a systematic review based on research published between 2017 and May 2023. A search for literary and scientific papers was conducted in Web of Science, SCOPUS, and PubMed databases. The final study sample consisted of 12 scientific studies. The results indicate that encouraging coping strategies, such as physical activity, peer selection, and modification of expectations, is crucial to manage academic workload and act positively on the mental health of students, thus promoting healthy habits that reduce anxiety and improve their well-being in various environments. As a conclusion, it is highlighted that participation in sports activities improves stress and anxiety management, in addition to strengthening academic engagement. The intensity and regularity of exercise influence these benefits, underscoring the need for personalized interventions. These findings support the integration of physical activity into the educational curriculum and the creation of accessible environments, also suggesting the exploration of innovative approaches that combine exercise, technology and psychological support to optimize student well-being.
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