The Relationship of Physical Activity to Anxiety and Resilient Coping Among Higher Education Employees

Background: Physical activity (PA) can positively affect mental health, yet many aspects of this relationship (degree of effectiveness across populations and conditions, biological mechanisms, etc.) remain unexplored. Aim: This study seeks to understand how PA is associated with anxiety, a common mental health condition, and resilient coping, the ability of an individual to overcome personal stress; and, how PA can be utilized to alleviate anxiety and strengthen resilient coping. Methods: Data collected from Health Assessment surveys assessed how several types of PA (moderate, vigorous, moderate-to-vigorous, and strength training) are related to anxiety and resilient coping. Results: Analysis revealed statistically significant relationships between PA and anxiety and PA and resilient coping. The findings from this study establish positive associations between PA and anxiety and resilient coping, emphasizing the powerful influence of PA as a mental health therapeutic. Such results suggest that PA could become a key component for attenuating mental health crises of workforces within higher education institutions. Conclusion: These findings serve as convincing evidence that organizations should assess ways to incorporate PA into their policies and programs for the health and well-being of employees, namely those of higher education institutions.