Analysis of Mental Health Level and Life Satisfaction According to the Amount of Physical Activity and Muscular Strength Level

Objective: About one-third of college students are exposed to stress to the point that their academic performance is negatively affected. To provide useful information for managing the mental health of young people by analyzing the perceived stress level, depression level, and life satisfaction according to the amount of physical activity and the level of muscular strength in male college students. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: Among 304 students who participated in the health exercise class at Sahmyook University in Seoul, the amount of physical activity and the level of muscular strength were divided into 3 quartiles, respectively, and the perceived stress level, depression level, and life satisfaction were analyzed through one-way ANOVA. The physical activity level and muscle strength level of the subjects were ranked, divided into 3 groups, and the difference in variables according to the group was verified. Results: There was no difference in perceived stress level, depression level, and life satisfaction according to the amount of physical activity, but statistically significant differences were shown in perceived stress scale(p=0.008) and life satisfaction(p=0.030) according to muscular strength. Conclusions: Policies to increase physical activity are important to improve and manage the mental health of young people, but it is judged to be more meaningful to provide an environment that can improve muscular strength.