A study on the mental state of physically active and inactive senior secondary students in Chandigarh

AbstractAdolescence is a time of major physical, emotional, and social changes, which can make teenagers more likely to experience mental health problems like stress, anxiety, and depression. This study looked at how morning physical activity affects these issues in senior secondary students (Classes XI and XII) in Chandigarh. Sixty students were chosen and divided into two groups: one group exercised in the morning (at least 30 minutes, four times a week), and the other group did not. The students’ mental health was measured using a questionnaire called DASS-21 developed by Dr. S.H. Lovibond and Dr. P.F. Lovibond which checks levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. The results showed that students who did morning exercise had much lower levels of anxiety and stress compared to those who didn’t. Their depression scores were also lower, but the difference was not big enough to be considered significant. These results support earlier research showing that regular physical activity can help improve mood and reduce mental health problems in teenagers. The study highlights how helpful it can be to include morning exercise in students’ daily routines or school programs. By showing a clear link between physical activity and better mental health, this research suggests that schools should encourage morning exercise to help students feel better emotionally and handle stress more.